THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


,• 


<r*- 


MOUNT   LEBANON 

CEDAR   BOUGHS 

ORIGINAL  POEMS 


As  from  Mount  Lebanon  of  old 

Were  quarried  stone  and  cedars  brought, 
With  precious  gems  and  finest  gold 

To  be  in  God's  great  temple  wrought ; 
So,  from  the  mountain  heights  of  praise 

Where  heaven's  sweet  blessings  ever  rest, 
To  light,  uplift  and  cheer  life's  ways, 

We  bring  our  treasured  gifls  the  best. 


BUFFALO 

THE  PETER  PAUL  BOOK  COMPANY 
1895 


COPYRIGHT,  1895,  BY 
THE  NORTH  FAMILY  OF  SHAKERS. 


PRINTED   AND   BOUND   BY 

THE   PBTER   PAUL   BOOK   COMPANY, 

BUFFALO,    N.  Y. 


PS 


to  our  spmtxxal  kindred  of  tire  ttouselrald  of  Faittr 
anxl  in  Earnest  sermcc  to  gearning  sotxls 
in  ttte  tuid?,  tuide  tuorld,  tlrts 
is  deriirated. 


626040 


INTRODUCTION. 

'THE  world  has  been  told  by  many  witnesses  that  the 
Shakers,  through  integrity  and  industry,  have 
peace  and  plenty  in  their  beautiful  homes;  but  has  it 
been  adequately  declared  that  they  are  a  progressive 
people  without  creed,  superstition  or  traditional  ascetic 
ism  ;  that  the  broad,  genial  warmth  of  their  lives  has 
its  ripples  of  mirth,  its  sparkles  of  wit  as  well  as  the 
spiritual  and  mental  clearness  "that  grows  brighter 
and  brighter  unto  the  perfect  day." 

It  is  through  the  solicitation  of  friends  that  we 
present  this  collection  of  poems  to  the  public,  that  they 
may  be  enabled  to  obtain  at  least  a  slight  glimpse  of  our 
inner  life ;  a  life  that  is  as  sweet  to  us  as  it  is  incom 
prehensible  to  the  world  generally. 

Not  infrequently  do  we  meet  with  discerning  souls 
who  have  lucid  views  of  the  truth,  and  of  the  beauty 
enjoyed  here  in  our  mountain  home;  from  such  we 
draw  the  incentive  to  put  forth  these  unpretending 
efforts,  few  of  which  were  ever  intended  to  go  beyond 
our  own  borders.  We  labor  with  our  hands  and  with 
our  hearts  to  bring  the  higher  conditions  of  happiness 
to  each  other,  and  most  gladly  extend  the  good  thus 
acquired  to  all  who  can  receive  or  appreciate  it. 

Art  may  weave  a  coronal  of  roses,.and  simplicity 
entwine  forest  boughs,  but  their  work  will  not  admit  of 
comparison,  therefore  we  hope  to  be  exempted  from 
the  severer  standards  of  criticism,  and  to  find  accept 
ance  through  the  sincerity  that  does  not  attempt  to 
teach,  except  as  the  tree  teaches,  by  gathering -the 
elements  of  growth  and  spreading  its  branches  for  what 
they  are,  even  as  we  send  forth  our  Cedar  Boughs. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Dedication 3 

Introduction 5 

The  Cedars C.  De  Vere    ...  13 

Our  Mother  Ann 14 

The  Saviour  on  the  Mount,    .    .M.J.Anderson    .  16 

Blessing 19 

A  Gift C.  Allen     ....  20 

"I  Bide  My  Time" A.R.Stephens.    .  21 

Peace   and  Plenty A.  White    ....  22 

War  of  the  Rebellion      .    .    .    .  C.  De  Vere    ...  23 

Glorious  Cross L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  26 

Right  Shall  Triumph 27 

Strengthen  Me L.  Staples  ....  27 

The  Money  Changers    .    .    .    .  C.  C.  Vinneo  ...  29 

True  Greatness M.J.Anderson     .  30 

Health L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  30 

The  Last  Day  of  Slavery  .    .    .  C.  De  Vere    ...  31 

Conquering  Legions M.  J.  Anderson    .  32 

Lost — Saved 34 

Overcoming 36 

Life's  Problems C.  De  Vere    ...  36 

The  Hindoo's  Request     .    .    .  M.  J.  Anderson    .  38 

Praise A.  R.  Stephens  .    .  40 

Not  All  a  Dream C.  De  Vere     ...  40 

Inspiration A.  R.  Stephens  .    .  42 

'Tis  Victory F.  Staples  ....  43 

Exaltation       .........  L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  44 

The  Rose  and  Golden-Rod     .  M.  J.  Anderson    .  45 

Tenderness A.  R.  Stevens   .    .  46 

The  Old  Apple  Tree     .    .    .    .  M.  J.  Anderson    .  47 

Home S.  J.  Burger  ...  49 

Lincoln  and  Stanton C.  De  Vere    ...  50 

Idealize  the  Real L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  53 

Beautiful  Rivers M.  J.  Anderson    .  53 

A  Desert  Spring A.  R.  Stephens  .    .  55 

Zion's  Soul  Communion    .    .    .  C.  De  Vere    ...  56 

Memento  Mori L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  58 

The  Poet  Whittier  ......  C.  De  Vere     ...  58 

The  Future  is  Ours A.  R.  Stephens  .    .  60 

Heart  Lessons C.  De  Vere    .    .    .  61 

Two  Wheels      Lydia  Staples    .   .  63 


Vlll 


The  Bird  Craze A/.  J.  Anderson  .  63 

A  Plea  For  the  Turkey  .  .  .  C.  C.  Vinneo  ...  65 

The  Jews  Gathering  Manna  .  C.  De  Vere  ...  66 

No  Time  to  Lose A.  R.  Stephens  .  .  67 

"  Give  Us  This  Day  Our  Daily 

Bread" M.  J.  Anderson  .  68 

Faith M.  E.  Lane  ...  69 

Hope A.  R.  Stephens  .  .  70 

Love L.  S.  Bowers  .  .  70 

Sympathy  with  Friends  in  the 

West C.  De  Vere  ...  71 

Truth M.  J.  Anderson  .  73 

The  Cry  of  the  Suffering  .  .  C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  74 

The  Millionaire's  Daughter  .  C.  De  Vere  ...  75 

Sympathy M.  J.  Anderson  .  78 

True  Goodness A.  R.  Stephens  .  .  79 

"  How  Swift  the  Shuttle  Flies"  M.  J.  Anderson  .  80 

Forgiveness C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  80 

Silence A.  A'.  Stephens  .  .  82 

Renewal C.  Allen  ....  82 

Press  On A.  R.  Stephens  ,  .  84 

Gethsemane  .  C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  85 
The  Last  Niglu  of  Jesus  on 

Earth C.  De  Vere  ...  86 

Perfect  Through  Suffering  .  .  A.  K.  Stephens  .  .  88 

Be  Calm M.  J.  Anderson  .  89 

Sunrise  Around  the  World  .  M.  J.  Anderson  .  89 

Spring's  Frolic C.  De  Vere  ...  92 

A  Snow  Storm M.  J.  Anderson  .  94 

Human  Progress  95 

The  Slaves  of  Poverty  .    .    .    .  C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  98 

The  Factory     .........  M.  J.  Anderson    .  100 

America's  Working  People  .  C.  De.  Vere  .  .  .  102 

The  Ohio  Temperance  Crusade  $  .  j£,  ,  .y  „  .  .  105 

The  Nineteenth  Century  .  .  *.  .......  107 

New  Life Guillen  .  }.  .  .  109 

To  the  Music  Maker  .  .  .  .  C.  De  Vere  ...  no 

The  Wood  Thrush C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  112 

The  Waters C.  De  Vere  ...  114 

To  My  Little  Sister C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  115 

Wonderment 117 

Acrostic  M.  J.  Anderson  .  120 

What  is  True  Life? L.  S.  Bowers  .  .  121 

To-Day C.  De  Vere  ...  122 

War  and  Peace M.J.Anderson  .  123 

Columbian  Liberty  and  Peace 

Bell C.  De  Vere    ...  125 


PAGE. 

The  Angel  Choir A.  R.  Stephens  .    .  126 

Love's  Ministry M.J.Anderson    .  128 

Life  Without  Love L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  131 

My  Little  Bed 131 

Pockets      M.  J.  Anderson    .  134 

The  Robbin C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  135 

Welcome  to  June L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  136 

A  Picture C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  138 

A  Triplet  of  Sonnets    .    .    .    .  M.  J.  Anderson    .  139 

Carnations C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  141 

Autumn S.  J,  Burger     .    .  141 

Stars  That  Twinkle J.  Robe 142 

Reply  of  the  Stars 145 

Peace  Offerings  at  the  World's 

Exposition C.  De  Vere    .    .    .  152 

"At  Last" M.  J.  Anderson    .  154 

Bryant S".  /.  Burger    .    .  155 

Hazel  Blossoms L.  Staples      ...  156 

The  Daisies L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  156 

Wheat     ...       C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  158 

A  Happy  Mood A.  R.  Stephens     .  158 

The  Meadow  Lark V.  J.  Burger     .    .  159 

God  is  Everywhere I..  S.  Bowers    .    .  159 

Physical  Resurrection    .    .    .    .  C.  De  Vere    ...  160 

Teach  Me  To  Trust -/.  R.  Stephens    .  162 

The  Mountain  Lake C.  C.  Vinneo    .    .  162 

Lord,  Increase  My  Faith     .    .  A.  R.  Stephens     .  163 

The  Circle  of  the  Year    .    .    .  C.  De  Vere    ...  164 

January L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  166 

February 166 

March 167 

April M.  J.  Anderson  .  167 

May L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  168 

June M.  J.  Anderson    .  168 

J"ly 169 

August C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  169 

September 170 

October     L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  170 

November L.  Staples  .    .    .    .  171 

December 171 

Year  of  Life 172 

The  Crow's  Lecture C.  De  Vere   .    .    .  173 

Contentment M.  J.  Anderson   .  176 

The  Bird  Legislator L.  S.  Bowers   .    .  177 

Guest- Angel M.  J.  Anderson    .  179 

Truth C.  Allen     ....  179 

Reverence M.  J.  Anderson    .  180 


PAGE. 

Solemn  Thoughts S.  Wayne  ....  180 

Immortality M.  J.  Anderson  .  182 

Unborn  Poetry F.  W.  Evans  .  .  182 

Look  Upward J,  M.  Lincoln  .  .  183 

Beautiful  Day M.  J.  Anderson  .  183 

Sunrise A.  ft.  Stephens  .  184 

Day  Dawn C.  De  Vere  ...  185 

Night  Falleth  .  . £•£&«.<  ...  187 

In  the  Moonlight L.  S.  Bowers  .  .  188 

Land  of  Our  Dreams  .  .  .  .  M.  J.  Anderson  .  188 

Waking  Thoughts A.  R.  Stephens  .  189 

The  War  in  Egypt C.  De  Vere  .  .  .  190 

Shaker  Homes 6".  Wayne  ....  192 

Christmas  Day C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  193 

A  Mother's  Love C.  Allen  ....  195 

Bless  and  Curse  Not  .  .  .  .  A.  R.Stephens  .  197 

Gift  of  Friendship M.  J.  Anderson  .  197 

Go  Find  Thy  Friends  .  .  .  .  C.  C.  Vinneo  -.  .  198 

Language flt.J.  Anderson  .  199 

Funeral  Day 200 

America  in  Shame C.  De  Vere  .  .  .  202 

Inward  Peace M.  J.  Anderson  .  205 

A  Financial  Panic C.  De  Vere  .  .  .  205 

Comparison L.  Staples  ....  208 

Monopoly C.  De  Vere  .  .  .  208 

The  Home  That  We  Have  />  r^ 

Found 210 

Adieu M.  J.  Anderson  .  211 

Courage A.  R.  Stephens  .  214 

Maternal  Spirit A.  White  ....  215 

A  Mother's  Love  L.  S.  Bowers  .  .  216 

Our  Beloved  Mother  .  .  .  .  C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  216 

Our  Roll  Call S.  Wayne  ....  218 

The  Increase C.  De  Vere  .  .  .  219 

The  Victor M.  J.  Anderson  .  220 

Self  Denial C.  De  Vere  ...  221 

Resignation L,  S.  Bowers  .  .  222 

The  New  Year L.  Staples  ....  223 

Lengthening  Days 223 

The  Dead  Year 224 

The  Frost  on  the  Pane  .  .  .  A.  R.  Stephens  .  224 

Our  Water  Works C.  De  Vere  .  .  .  226 

Thanksgiving M.  J.  Anderson  .  230 

What  Hath  the  Struggle 

Availed  ? C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  230 

Thy  Will  Be  Done S.  J.  Burger  .  .  232 

The  Churches  of  Our  Land  .  C.  De  Vere  ...  233 


PAGE. 

Speak,  Lord,  to  Me A.  R.  Stephens     .  234 

The  New  Flag C.  De  Vere    .   .    .  235 

The  Milennial  Time C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  237 

True  Wealth M.  J.  Anderson    .  239 

Reliance L.  Staples  ....  240 

Words  of  Cheer C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  241 

Poet  and  Prophet 242 

Communion C.  Allen     ....  242 

Nothing  New M.J.  Anderson    .  244 

Heavenly  Light M.  A.  Burger  .    .  247 

A  Prayer  for  Rain C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  247 

After  the  Rain M.  J.  Anderson    .  249 

Lillies  of  the  Valley L.  Staples  ....  250 

The  Tube  Rose M.  J.  Anderson    .  250 

To  the  Five-Finger L.  Staples  ....  251 

The  Calla  Lily M.J.  Anderson   .  251 

The  Purple  Pansy L.  Staples  ....  252 

The  Snow  Flower L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  252 

Blighted M.  J.  Anderson    .  253 

Fallen C.  De  Vere    .    .    .  254 

A  Lesson L.  Staples  ....  257 

Motherland C.  De  Vere    .   .   .  257 

The  Famous  Hutchinson  Fam 
ily    C.  De  Vere    .    .    .  260 

Life's  Treasure C.  Allen 262 

Alone M.  J.  Anderson    .  263 

Adoration L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  265 

The  Pilgrim  and  the  Mile  Stone  C.  De  Vere    .   .    .  268 

Grateful  Thought M.  J.  Anderson    .  269 

Unrest 270 

Two  Lessons  From  Egypt  .    .  C.  C.   Vinneo     .    .  272 

William  Cullen  Bryant     .    .    .  M.  J.  Anderson    .  274 

Bethesda C.  C.   Vinneo     .    .  274 

The  Humming- Bird L.  S.  Bowers    .    .  275 

Hygeia .S.  J.  Burger     . .  .  275 

Compensation L.  Staples  ....  276 

Death  of  the  Pharisee     .    .    .  C.  De  Vere    .   .    .  276 

The  Rainbow  of  the  Morning  C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  279 

The  Groves L.  S.  Bowers   .    .  280 

Psyche M.J.  Anderson    .  280 

Faith A.  R.  Stephens     .  281 

By  the  Sea L.  S.  Bowers   .    .  281 

W recked M.  J.  Anderson   .  282 

Forgiveness A.  R.  Stephens    .  283 

Patience C.  C.  Vinneo     .    .  283 

My  Conclusion L.  Staples  ....  284 

To  Our  Honored  Father    .    .  C.  De  Vere    .   .    .  285 


XII 

PAGE. 

Duty  . A.  R.  Stephens  .  287 

A  Tribute  of  Affection  .  .  .  C.  De  Vere  ...  288 

Holy  Stillness A.  R.  Stephens  .  291 

Elder  Richard  Bushnell  .  .  .  C.  De  Vere  ...  291 

Fields  of  Heaven M.  J.  Anderson  .  293 

To  Our  Father •  C.  De  Vere  ...  293 

Pleasure M.  J.  Anderson  .  295 

Joined  the  Immortals 296 

Grateful  Tribute 296 

Day  and  Night L.  Staples  ....  298 

Not  Dead A.  R.  Stephens  .  298 

Motherhood C.  De  Vere  ...  301 

The  Memory  of  Our  Own  Dear 

Mother L.  S.  Bowers  .  .  302 

"We  Rise  to  Call  Her  Blessed"  A.  R.  Stephens  .  304 

In  Memoriam M.J.  Anderson  .  305 

Rest  in  Peace F.  Staples  ....  307 

The  Reward  of  a  Dedicated 

Life C.  De  Vere  .  .  .  309 

Crossing  Life's  Tide  .  .  .  .  E.  Offord  .  .  .  311 

Recompense C.  C.  Vinneo  .  .  312 

Youthful  Petition C.  Allen  ....  313 

Culmination L.  Staples  ....  315 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THE  CEDARS. 

(\  WHENCE  are  they  ?  we  knew  them  first 

In  the  full  grandeur  of  their  prime, 
As  if  their  seedlings  had  been  nursed 

In  fields  beyond  the  realms  of  Time. 
Or  when  he  ground  the  rock  to  feed 

The  crystal  filter  of  his  hours, 
Did  he  turn  surplus  grains  to  geed 

Endued  with  such  gigantic  powers  ? 
Mayhap  strong  winds  from  heaven  blown, 

When  earth  was  in  her  misty  youth, 
Set  firm  the  cedars  in  the  stone 

As  symbols  of  enduring  truth. 
What  if  the  soil  around  was  dry, 

By  hidden  springs  their  roots  were  fed, 
And  to  the  love-bestowing  sky 

The  beauty  of  their  branches  spread. 
Their  leafy  temple  raised  to  God 

Before  great  Israel's  hosts  were  born, 
Had  shrouding-veil,  the  welkin  broad, 

And  altar-flame,  the  smile  of  morn. 
An  earthly  king  essayed  to  rear 

A  miracle  for  all  the  arts; 
They  felt  no  rivaling  human  sneer, 

But  gave  the  best  gifts  of  their  hearts. 
Aloft,  magnificent  they  stood 

Where  legions  knelt  with  hearts  of  fire; 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Their  very  shadows  casting  good, 
Their  voices  crying  "come  up  higher." 

They  twined  a  chaplet  evergreen 
Around  a  coronal  impearled; 

They  made  Mount  Lebanon  the  queen 
Of  all  the  mountains  of  the  world. 


OUR  MOTHER  ANN. 

I  SEE  her  by  the  forge  fire's  light, 

A  guileless,  thoughtful  Quaker  child; 
The  glowing  embers  burning  bright, 

Her  meditations  have  beguiled. 
Sweet  lessons  from  the  Holy  Writ, 

That  on  her  heart  impression  made, 
Before  her  fancy  swiftly  Hit, 

In  colors  that  will  never  fade. 
Afar  she  sees  the  falling  rain 

<  >n  Noah's  lonely  struggling  ark; 
Then  views  the  cities  of  the  plain 

That  would  not  to  the  warning  hark. 

The  youth  that  was  to  Egypt  sold, 

The  infant  hid  where  rushes  sigh, 
And  he  whose  innocence  was  bold, 

That  softly  answered,  "  Here  am  I." 
Then  conies  the  vision  of  that  birth 

Whose  music  seems  her  soul  to  thrill, 
When  angel  hosts  sang,  "  Peace  on  earth," 

God's  glory,  "and  to  man,  good  will." 
One,  on  his  Father's  business  bent, 

Sat  with  the  Doctors  of  the  Law 
To  question  them,  with  mind  intent 

On  truth  that  they  but  dimly  saw. 


OUR  MOTHER  ANN. 

In  him  it  was  a  quickened  seed 

That  yet  would  yield  its  hundred-fold; 
'Twas  his  to  fill  its  utmost  meed, 

And  still  a  higher  life  unfold. 
And  when  that  youth  returned  to  grow 

In  favor  with  both  God  and  man, 
The  past  to  him  was  all  aglow 

With  types  of  God's  great  future  plan. 

% 

But  she,  whose  childhood  now  we  trace, 

Rose  like  a  star  above  the  sea, 
To  usher  in  the  day  of  grace, 

The  Heavenly  Mother's  majesty. 
Stern  sat  the  ages  in  their  pride, 

And  boasted  of  each  noble  son, 
For  they  of  daughters  were  denied, 

'Till  man's  great  prowess  should  be  won; 
And  'till  he  proved  his  power  lofaif, 

In  all  attempts  to  free  the  race, 
And  knew  that  he  could  not  prevail 

'Till  ivoman  held  her  rightful  place. 

Earth  needed  dual  heart  and  brain 

To  learn  the  song  that  heaven  sings; 
To  echo  the  melodious  strain, 

From  harps  that  chime  a  thousand  strings. 
It  needed  hands  that  God  could  teach, 

To  deal  with  priestcraft  and  with  sin; 
The  temple's  inmost  vail  to  reach, 

And  there  disclose  the  ghoul  within. 
It  needed  one  whose  gentle  soul 

Could  sorrow  with  a  tender  grief, 
Of  whom  the  Christ  could  take  control, 

And  make  a  fountain  of  relief. 

And  she  was  called  in  early  days, 
Not  by  loud  thunders  from  above, 

But  by  the  "still  small  voice  "  that  stays 
Among  the  elements  of  love. 


1 6  MO UNT  L EBA NON  CEDA R  BO UGHS. 

Sweet  in  her  lowly  home  she  grew, 

Beneath  the  watchful  angels'  care, 
And  spoke  far  wiser  than  she  knew, 

And  prayed  the  soul-redeeming  prayer. 
No  human  heart  could  her  sustain, 

Though  like  a  fruitful  vine  she  clung, 
Or  lonely  wept  and  strove  in  pain, 

While  yet  her  wondrous  life  was  young. 

When  persecution's  demon-band 

Made  dark  the  pathway  that  she  trod, 
She  turned  her  eyes  to  freedom's  land, 

For  she  was  serving  freedom's  God. 
O  had  that  land  in  part  received 

The  saving  truth  her  spirit  bore, 
No  war  nor  slavery  would  have  grieved 

Its  vast  domain  from  shore  to  shore. 
But  on  its  soil  the  tree  of  life 

Was  planted,  and  beneath  its  shade 
We  have  a  home  with  blessings  rife, 

A  home  her  faithful  children  made. 


-*- 


THE  SAVIOUR  ON  THE  MOUNT. 

DRESSED  by  the  mulitudes  that  thronged  his  way, 

And  clamored  for  a  miracle  or  test, 
Who  sought  the  things  that  lasted  but  a  day, 
Nor  cared  for  truth  his  inner  life  had  blessed. 

The  lowly  Jesus  went  his  way  apart, 
And  his  disciples  followed  him  apace; 

They  knew  the  springs  that  welled  within  his  heart 
Would  flow  to  them  in  streams  of  living  grace. 

His  steps  were  bent  unto  the  favored  spot 
Where  he  was  wont  to  seek  a  calm  retreat, 


THE  SAVIOUR  O.\  THE  MOL'.\T.  ^ 

While  cares  and  trials  all,  his  soul  forgot, 

Where  heaven  and  earth  in  close  communion  meet. 

The  sunny  beams  upon  the  mountain  broke, 

The  olive-trees  with  glistening  dews  were  sweet, 

Among  their  branches  gentle  murmurs  woke, 
And  snowy  blossoms  fell  before  his  feet. 

Fair  emblems  of  the  precious  words,  that  came 
Unsullied  from  the  lips  of  him  who  spake 

To  those  who  loved  to  hear,  and  name  the  name, 
That  bore  the  power  the  slumbering  soul  to  wake. 

Beneath  the  olive's  shade,  whose  glossy  leaves 
Droop  peacefully  above  his  Christ-like  brow, 

The  golden  threads  of  life  divine  he  weaves, 
In  which  beatitudes  refulgent  glow. 

The  shimmering  gleams  that  'lumed  the  shady  bower 
Were  faint,  compared  with  truth's  bright  piercing 
darts, 

That  God  had  placed  within  the  archer's  power, 
To  slay  the  foes  that  lurk  in  human  hearts. 

He  sat  not  there,  with  Pharisaic  mien 

Propounding  logic  of  a  mystic  creed; 
But,  with  a  spirit  self-subdued  and  clean, 

He  ministered  according  to  their  needs. 

A  flood  of  inspiration  thrilled  his  soul, 

And  thought  expanding  found  expression  free; 

The  Christ-anointing  held  supreme  control, 
And  gave  his  spirit  heavenly  liberty. 

Before  all  men,  then  let  our  light  shine  forth  ! 

That  they  may  see  our  works  are  just  and  true, 
And  glorify  the  Father,  who  hath  wrought 

A  work  which  will  create  all  things  anew. 


18  MOf'.\T  LEBANON  CEDAR  ROl'GHS. 

He  came  not  to  destroy  the  written  law 
But  one  more  perfect  to  impress  within, 

Souls  unto  truth  and  righteousness  to  draw, 
Thus  save  them  from  the  blighting  power  of  sin. 

He  gave  to  them  the  simple,  golden  rule, 
More  potent  than  the  conquering  Roman  state, 

The  fires  of  passion  to  assuage  and  cool, 
And  love  its  motor,  to  subdue  all  hate. 

They  bowed  their  hearts  in  sacred  reverence, 
While  he  in  simple  faith  taught  them  to  pray; 

A  prayer  so  full  of  trust,  yet  so  intense, 
'Twas  like  the  glory  of  a  new-born  day. 

Fair  lilies  of  the  valley  robed  in  white, 
Knew  not  the  cankering  care  of  mortal  needs; 

Yet  he  who,  trusting,  dwells  within  His  light, 
Our  heavenly  Father  blesses,  clothes  and  feeds. 

And  thus  he  crj-stallized  the  gems  of  worth, 

In  illustrative  p.irable  outwrought; 
While  mighty  principles  which  move  the  earth, 

Were  to  the  understanding  clearly  taught. 

Some  marveled  at  the  doctrine,  strange  and  new, 
That  Jesus  taught  the  people  day  by  day; 

His  wondrous  system  rose  before  their  view, 
And  all  their  old  traditions  swept  away. 

The  Messianic  kingdom  they  had  planned 

Came  not  with  regal  pomp,  nor  glittering  show; 

The  Prince  of  Peace  went  forth   through  Judea's  land, 
The  seeds  of  everlasting  life  to  sow. 

He  healed  the  sick,  the  lame  and  blind  made  whole; 

Demoniac  spirits  from  his  presence  fled; 
Superior  forces  acting  through  his  soul, 

Restored  to  living  consciousness,  the  dead. 


BLESSING. 


How  beautiful  upon  the  mountain's  height 
The  Master  in  his  earnestness  appears  ! 

All  crowned  with  halos  of  prophetic  light, 
That  circle  'round  the  centuries  of  years. 


BLESSING. 

/^\NLY  an  acorn  that  fell  by  the  wayside, 

Only  a  tiny  seed  hidden  from  sight, 
Only  a  crystal  drop  lost  in  the  flowing  tide, 
Only  a  star  shining  out  in  the  night. 

Lo,  the  great  oak  a  broad  shelter  is  weaving, 
Many  fair  flowers  shed  sweetest  perfume, 

Bosom  of  ocean  are  mingled  drops  heaving, 
Numberless  planets  the  dark  sky  illume. 

Thus  be  our  life  into  purpose  expanding, 
Small  in  beginning  yet  good  in  intent, 

Noble  and  useful  and  truthful  in  standing, 
Spreading  in  blessing  as  days  are  well  spent. 

Ever  the  rich  and  the  precious  seed  sowing, 
Gray  wastes  shall  blossom  and  deserts  shall  smile, 

Kindness  and  care  on  the  needy  bestowing, 
Reaping  a  harvest  of  pleasure  the  while. 

Better  to  swell  the  bright  billows  of  gladness, 

Though  we  have  only  a  little  to  give, 
Rather  than  drain  the  last  dregs  of  life's  sadness, 

Only  for  love  let  us  labor  and  live. 

Though  in  the  galaxy  faint  is  our  gleaming, 
Still  will  our  glory  be  made  to  appear, 

Ever  with  steady  light  so  be  our  beaming, 
God  marks  the  orbit  of  each  circling  sphere. 


M(X\\T  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


A  GIFT. 

\X7HEN  night  had  drawn  her  sable  folds, 
And  slumber  brought  the  gift  of  rest, 
A  thought  that  memory  sweetly  holds 
Upon  my  spirit  was  impressed. 

It  seemed  a  friend  had  beckoned  me, 
Who  stood  in  silence  and  alone, 

Her  eyes  were  fixed  so  searchingly 
I  almost  feared  to  hear  her  tone. 

She  spake  in  words  of  living  flame 

Against  the  hidden  life  of  sin, 
Until  their  power  in  me  became 

A  quenchless  fire  to  burn  within. 

My  hand  in  hers  was  firmly  clasped, 
My  spirit  bowed  beneath  her  word, 

And  eagerly  each  sentence  grasped 
As  though  an  angel  voice  I  heard. 

And  then  like  sheltering  wings  outspread 
Her  love  and  mercy  covered  me, 

The  truth  had  brought  no  fear  or  dread, 
But  joyous  life  and  liberty. 

I  knelt  to  render  gratitude, 

And  bless  the  hand  which  bore  the  rod, 
My  soul  was  humbled,  and  renewed 

Its  consecration  unto  God. 

And  as  I  rose,  a  gladsome  song 
Of  triumph  thrilled  the  tranquil  air, 

It  rolled  in  cadence  clear  and  strong, 
Its  melody  was  sweet  and  rare. 

It  bore  the  boon  of  inward  peace 
Which  seals  the  conqueror's  holy  strife, 

The  prophecy  of  rich  increase 
Of  glory  in  eternal  life. 


"I  BIDE  MY  TIME." 

I  felt  that  in  that  simple  dream 
Dear  angel  guardians  neared  my  soul, 

To  teach  how  good  the  truth  will  seem 
If  we  but  yield  to  its  control. 

I'll  bless  it  when  it  scourgeth  me 
And  leads  me  to  acknowledge  wrong, 

And  in  its  glorious  liberty 

My  spirit  shall  be  brave  and  strong. 

O  precious  truth,  I'll  cleave  to  thee, 
My  every  act  and  inmost  thought 

Guided  by  thy  light  shall  be, 

Till  in  thy  power  my  life  is  wrought. 


"I  BIDE  MY  TIME." 

"T  BIDE  my  time,"  O  lesson  sweet, 

In  patience  e'er  to  wait; 
God's  mercies  like  fair  autumn  flower? 
May  often  blossom  late. 

What  though  to-day  my  feet  must  tread 

Dark  Alpine  vales  of  woe, 
Perchance  to-morrow's  sun  will  shed 

Its  brightness  where  I  go. 

If  all  life's  streams  with  joy  would  flow, 
Our  hearts  were  always  glad, 

That  rarest  bliss  we'd  never  know 
Of  being  sometimes  sad. 

"  I  bide  my  time  "  in  patience  strong, 

In  hopes  that  ne'er  abate; 
God's  promises  to  those  belong 

Who  daily  work  and  wait. 


MO l'.\T  LEliA .\O.\  CEDAR  HOl'GHS 

"I  bide  my  time;"  through  shade  and  shine 

I  wait  for  God's  decree, 
Assured  that  in  his  own  good  time 

There's  something  sweet  for  me. 


PEACE  AND  PLENTY. 

""THERE  cometh  a  time  when  sorrow 

Shall  darken  the  earth  no  more, 
When  Peace,  with  her  snowy  pinions, 

Shall  rest  upon  every  shore; 
When  the  fear  of  war  and  carnage, 

No  more  the  heart  shall  seize; 
Hut  the  notes  of  joy  and  gladness, 

Be  borne  on  the  gentle  breeze. 

There  cometh  a  time  of  sowing 

The  seed  of  the  kingdom  new; 
It  falleth  alike  on  many, 

As  falls  the  evening  dew. 
In  the  true  and  honest-hearted, 

Rich  soil  for  an  increase, 
It  shall  ripen,  and  the  harvest 

Be  fruits  of  an  endless  peace. 

There  cometh  a  time  of  reaping 

The  true  from  the  false  and  vain; 
The  fan  of  the  Lord  shall  sever 

The  chaff  from  the  precious  grain; 
And  the  golden  sheaves  be  gathered 

To  Christ  the  living  head; 
Souls  in  peace  and  love  cemented 

Shall  eat  of  the  living  bread. 

There  cometh  a  time  of  weeping 
Unknown  to  the  earthly  mind, 


Il'AR  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

A  sorrow  that  works  repentance 
Ere  rest  shall  the  spirit  find; 

When  the  books  of  memory  open, 
The  sea  gives  up  its  dead, 

Shall  the  song  and  word  of  triumph 
Be  sung  and  by  thousands  read. 

Rejoice  in  the  past  and  present, 

Rejoice  in  the  time  to  come, 
The  wilderness  soon  shall  blossom, 

Earth's  desert  places  bloom; 
And  the  ransomed  turned  to  Zion 

With  everlasting  joy, 
While  the  horn  of  peace  and  plenty, 

Shall  follow  their  blest  employ. 


WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

'"THE  angels  brought  the  high  command 

To  "'Make  Columbia's  children  free, " 
They  sought  the  noblest  of  the  land 

To  hew  a  path  for  liberty. 
They  called  the  justice-loving  Friends 

Whom  they  had  taught  in  silent  hours, 
To  give  the  country's  eyes  a  lens 

Through  which  to  scan  her  crushing  powers. 

They  thrilled  the  cords  in  woman's  heart, 

Drew  sympathy  from  every  tone, 
Until  she  made  that  cause  a  part 

Of  all  the  wrongs  that  were  her  own. 
Where  e'er  a  generous  nature  glowed, 

Where  e'er  was  breathed  the  gift  of  song 
The  floods  of  inspiration  flowed 

In  burning  waves  against  the  wrong. 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  ROCGHS. 

Where  e'er  the  thought  was  clear  and  brave, 
These  angel  messengers  were  found 

In  earnest  pleading  for  the  slave, 
Whose  limbs  and  heart  alike  were  bound. 

The  hearth,  the  pulpit,  and  the  press 

Were  all  invoked  to  lend  their  aid; 
The  lowly  heart  was  claimed  to  bless 

The  efforts  that  the  mighty  made; 
Until  there  rested  in  the  air 

An  element  like  subtile  flame, 
A  pressure  as  of  mingled  prayer, 

Yet  who  could  tell  from  whence  it  came  ? 

O,  even  in  our  little  day, 

How  great  the  struggle  that  arose 
To  banish  slavery  away — 

That  monster  of  all  household  foes. 
With  glass  reversed,  we  view  it  o'er, 

And  strive  to  fix  it  on  the  past; 
And  yet  the  fearful  guise  it  wore 

Will  haunt  our  memories  to  the  last. 

The  angels  shook  the  nation's  gates, 

And  blew  their  trumpets  long  and  loud, 
Until  the  crime-encumbered  states 

Rebelled  with  spirit  fierce  and  proud; 
And  Sumter's  gun  that  woke  the  land 

Sent  echoes  to  the  unseen  realm, 
Which  brought  a  war-\ike  spirit-band 

To  take  the  nation's  broken  helm. 

O  paradox  in  human  life! 

The  hands  that  sought  the  captives'  weal 
Were  nerved,  amid  that  blinding  strife, 

To  dye  with  kindred  blood  their  steel. 
Yea,  those  whose  hearts  for  freedom  felt, 

And  strove  by  righteousness  to  win, 
Because  in  Babylon  they  dwelt, 

They  were  partakers  of  her  sin. 


IV A  R  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

The  work  the  angel  spirits  did 

Seemed  lost  below  that  passion  blaze; 
And  yet  their  aim  was  only  hid 

To  be  restored  in  after  days. 
Those  legions  of  the  earthly  plane 

Performed  their  work  with  dauntless  rage, 
Achieved  with  speeu  a  precious  gain, 

But  brought  a  loss  that  none  can  gauge. 

We  pass  beyond  the  broken  homes, 

The  ties  that  can  not  be  replaced, 
The  hearts  where  never  sunshine  comes, 

The  unapprized  external  waste, 
And  think  of  what  the  nation  lost 

In  weight  that  talent  might  have  earned, 
Of  what  her  reeking  altars  cost, 

While  souls  were  scarred  and  bodies  burned. 

0  loathsome  fields!     O  prison  pens! 
Be  ye  no  more  the  nation's  shame; 

With  you  all  vindication  ends, 

For  violence  in  freedom's  name. 
Henceforth  must  legislation  stand 

The  only  arbiter  of  right; 
For  God  has  called  this  glorious  land 

To  be  redeemed  from  battle's  blight. 

There  but  remains  a  vail  of  days 
Till  woman's  servitude  shall  cease; 

1  see  her,  through  its  shining  haze, 

The  star-crowned  guardian-friend  of  Peace. 
For  she  who  gave  the  bondman  aid 

While  cruel  shackles  were  her  own, 
Shall  yet,  in  council  halls,  persuade 

That  love  and  wisdom  are  but  one. 


26  MOL'XT  LEBAXOX  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


GLORIOUS  CROSS. 

f~^  LORIOUS  cross  of  Christ!    what  power  in  thee 
lies, 

Virtue  sought  and  treasured  through  thee  never  dies, 
Heights  of  truth's  eternal  glory  rise  to  view, 

When  by  thy  righteousness  we  strive  life's  journey 

through. 
Days  that  live  but  now  in  story  tell  of  thee, 

Name  Thy  name,  but  know  not  of  thy  purity. 
Carved  on  palace  walls  and  temples  and  still  tombs, 

Carved  to  last  perhaps  ages  through  earth's  glooms; 
But  not  in  symbols  dull  and  olden  art  thou  known, 

With  the  true  cross  is  Christ's  presence  fully  shown. 
Shown  by  working  soul's  salvation  from  all  sin, 

Known,  by  giving  through  each  trial  peace  within. 

Talisman  against  all  evil — blessed  cross! 

Be  my  whole  life's  impulse,  leading  from  all  loss. 
Leave  thy  mark  upon  my  forehead  there  to  shine; 

That  control  of  thought  and  feeling  may  be  mine. 
Set  thy  seal  upon  my  spirit  through  the  light, 

And  when  fades  the  time  of  sunshine  keep  the  night. 
O,  I  seek  thee  not  for  glory  nor  for  crown, 

Though  a  blessing  through  thee  surely  cometh  down, 
But  for  good  thou  workest  in  me  that  my  soul 

Loosed  from  tetherings  may  attain  its  perfect  goal. 


S  TRENG  THEN  ME.  2  7 


RIGHT  SHALL  TRIUMPH. 

""THE  battle  wages  and  the  foe  is  strong, 

The  air  is  wild  with  strife's  confusing  din, 

But  God  is  mighty  and  the  right  must  win. 
The  weak,  down-trodden  of  earth's  surging  throng 
Who've-borne  their  burdens  patiently  and  long, 

With  deep  pulsations  of  true  joy  within, 

Will  hail  love's  triumph  and  the  death  of  sin 
In  stirring  music  of  a  glad  new  song. 
Yea,  time  is  coming  when  all  unjust  gain, 

Tyrannic  force,  and  blinding  creeds  shall  fail; 
When  purity  and  peace  will  life  sustain, 

E'en  to  earth's  border-land  the  truth  prevail. 
Arise!  with  resurrective  thought,  God  works  with  you, 
O  let  His  power  make  your  spirits  true. 


STRENGTHEN  ME. 

HTAKE  from  my  heart  O  Lord,  all  vain  desires 

Through  faith  denied, 
And  may  it  as  my  soul  to  Thee  aspires 

Be  purified. 

Leave  not  mine  eyes  to  seek  mid  pleasures  throng 

Those  flowers  loved  best, 
For  'neath  the  rose  and  in  the  crimsoned  wrong 

Sharp  briers  rest. 

But  spotless  lilies,  emblemed  angelhood 

In  snowy  dress, 
Are  safe,  upon  the  bosom  of  all  good 

To  closely  press. 


28  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Lead  Thou  my  feet  in  pleasant  ways  of  life, 

By  waters  still, 
They  in  the  safety  of  thy  blessing  rife 

Will  do  Thy  will. 

Make  mid  Thy  altars-gifts  my  hands  to  feel 

For  heavy  task; 
Forgiveness  as  upon  its  steps  I  kneel 

Is  all  I  ask. 

Teach  me  from  wisdom's  book  in  language  meek, 

My  thoughts  to  raise, 
And  to  Thy  holy  name  my  tongue  shall  speak 

Continual  praise. 

Help  me  to  pray,  to  ask  in  faith's  clear  light 

For  conquering  power, 
That  legions  may  not  daunt  my  purpose  right 

In  sorrows  hour. 

Make  me  though  deaf,  in  trying  times  to  hear 

The  truth's  grand  psalm, 
To  Thy  soft  whispers  may  I  bend  the  ear 

In  storm  and  calm. 

'Twas  once  I  sought  the  cross  that  pleasure  wore, 

Her  pearls  to  wear, 
But  now,  the  cross  of  Christ  that  Jesus  bore, 

I  too  will  bear. 

And  if  I  may,  through  struggle  in  Thy  strength 

More  perfect  be, 
My  fruit  of  consecration  shall  at  length 

Be  brought  to  Thee. 


THE  MONEY  CHANGERS. 


29 


THE  MONEY  CHANGERS. 

CMITE  with  thy  hand  of  wrath,  O  God  of  nations, 
The  bold  blasphemers  at  our  country's  shrine, 
O'erturn  the  tables  with  their  vile  creations, 
And  give  the  judgment  that  alone  is  Thine. 

Tear  down  the  veil  of  fraud  that  blinds  the  people; 

Drag  mammon  from  the  altar  and  the  throne; 
Let  Thy  swift  warning  sound  from  dome  and  steeple; 

Break  Thou  the  gods  of  brass,  of  wood  and  stone. 

At  the  States'  senate  where  the  great  assemble, 
Behold  the  cunning,  malice,  greed  and  thrall; 

O  send  the  message  that  will  make  them  tremble, 
The  weird  and  awful  writing  on  the  wall. 

And  in  the  hour  of  revelry  and  splendor, 
Condemn  the  wicked  for  their  deeds  of  shame; 

Call  up  a  saint,  as  did  the  seer  of  Endor, 
Who'll  dare  to  speak  Thy  message,  in  Thy  name. 

The  war  is  on,  and  right  is  ranked  'gainst  error, 

But  error  holds  its  legions  manifold; 
And  blinded  men  in  ignorance  and  terror 

Defend  the  kings  of  silver  and  of  gold. 

In  Thy  rich  earth  are  wretched  people  dying, 
Unknown  to  pity  and  unwept  with  tears; 

While  man-made  schemes  like  ruined  forts  are  lying 
Along  the  blood-stained  pathway  of  the  years. 

The  hand  of  Pharaoh  holds  the  poor,  like  cattle, 

His  heart  of  evil  will  not  let  them  go, 
O  come,  and  lead  Thy  chosen  on  to  battle, 

And  strike  the  note  that  leveled  Jericho  ! 


30  MO  I  'XT  LEBANON  CEDA  R  BOl  'GHS. 


TRUE  GREATNESS. 

MOT  in  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  state, 

Not  in  its  war-like  heraldry  of  fame, 
Its  pride  of  power  and  striving  for  a  name, 

—  Ambition's  lust  and  greed  insatiate  — 

Are  found  the  qualities  that  make  men  great. 
No  conquering  strength  its  lauded  heroes  claim 
The  beasts  of  passion  to  subdue  and  tame, 

And  graceless  heart-wilds  to  regenerate. 

True  greatness  forms  the  soul's  sun-belted  zone- 
Where  virtue  grows  to  heaven-exalted  deeds, 
Where  good  all  direful  evil  supersedes, 
And  love  expands  to  meet  all  human  needs; 

Where  righteous  works  for  errors  past  atone, 

And  mortal  want  and  misery  are  unknown. 


HEALTH. 

A    PEARLY  brow  that  tells  of  holy  thought; 

A  ruddy  cheek,  and  eye  with  sparkling  light; 

Strong,  well  knit  arms  that  love  to  do  the  right; 
A  heart  that  times  life's  motion  as  it  ought, 
And  crimson  blood  from  healthful  substance  wrought. 

Free  lungs  that  heave  with  pure  air  day  and  night, 

These  make  of  mortal  life  a  sweet  delight. 
Health,  priceless  health,  a  boon  from  heaven  brought. 
In  sacred  writ,  we  learn  that  God  made  man 

In  his  unblemished  image,  strong  and  whole, 
But  sin,  usurping  power,  has  marred  the  plan, 

Destroying  even  beauty  of  the  soul. 
But  God  has  yet  dominion,  and  we  can 

Through  righteousness,  regain  the  perfect  goal. 


THE  LAST  DAY  OF  SLA  VER  Y. 


3  1 


THE  LAST  DAY  OF  SLAVERY. 

I  WATCHED  the  gray  clouds  in  the  sky 

And  thought  upon  this  mighty  day, 
Till  my  hushed  soul  could  hear  the  cry 

Of  hearts  that  had  not  power  to  pray. 
My  spirit  roamed  that  sunny  clime 

Where  nature  wears  her  richest  dress, 
And  wept  to  see  man's  darkest  crime 

Imbosomed  in  such  loveliness. 

If  for  a  moment  Hope  might  shine, 

Then  cringing  Fear's  dark  breath  would  rise; 
And  so  these  wearying  thoughts  of  mine 

Were  like  the  dim  clouds  in  the  skies. 
Ah  !  life  at  best  on  Labor's  plane 

Hath  little  that  the  soul  can  crave; 
But  Slavery's  unremitting  pain 

Is  ended  only  in  the  grave. 


Long,  long  each  gold  and  azure  mof  n 

Hath  mocked  the  slave  beneath  his  gloom. 
Will  Freedom's  advent  come  with  dawn  ? 

Will  God  destroy  the  man-made  doom  ? 
Thus  eagerly  my  spirit  longed 

To  pierce  the  misty  veil  of  Time. 
And  see  if  God  would  help  the  wronged, 

And  prove  his  justice  all  sublime. 

But  ah  !  that  veil  concealed  full  well, 

Although  it  seemed  a  thing  of  air 
That  left  sincerity  to  swell 

To  God  in  waves  of  humble  prayer. 
O  must  the  bond-man  still  be  bound  ? 

Will  Freedom's  hand  not  touch  his  chain  ? 
And  must  soft  wind  still  bear  the  sound 

Of  agonizing  groans  in  vain  ? 


.vr  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Are  not  the  sins  of  earth  ripe  yet  ? 

Or  must  her  fields  wear  deeper  red, 
And  shall  gaunt  famine  coldly  set 

His  seal  on  many  a  blameless  head  ? 
I  hear  the  Nation's  great  heart  beat 

With  new  dependence  on  Thy  power; 
I  see  Thy  Truth  with  Error  meet, 

I  feel  the  struggle  of  the  hour. 

The  angel  choirs  around  me  swell 

The  happy  song  of  Jubilee; 
And  Destiny  with  deep-toned  bell 

Proclaims  a  suffering  people  free. 
Thus  e'er  the  signal  cannon  spoke, 

Before  the  nation's  loud  acclaim, 
Before  the  pen's  resounding  stroke, 

Emancipation's  message  came. 


CONQUERING  LEGIONS. 

'"THE  world  is  in  commotion,  and  human  hearts  are 

stirred 
With  passions  strong  upwelling,    and  sense  of  hope 

deferred. 
Great  wrongs  are  yet  prevailing,  and  the  battle  must 

be  fought 
With  weapons  that  are  tempered  at  the  glowing  forge 

of  thought. 

In  fires  of  agitation  and  the  living  flame  of  zeal 

k  wrought  the  bar  of  justice  and  truth's  incisive  steel. 

Nerved  be  the  hand  with  fortitude  these  mighty  powers 

to  wield, 
Till    earth's   usurping  minions  to  righteousness  shall 

yield. 


CONQUERING  LEGIONS.  33 

To  noble  tides  of  feeling  throbs  the  pulse  of  yearning 
hearts; 

Who  strive  for  the  uplifting  a  truer  life  imparts; 

Thro'  sway  of  truth  and  reason,  with  a  deep  and  fer 
vent  plea, 

Come  forth  the  marshalled  toilers  with  a  cry  of  lib 
erty. 

Adown  the  shadowy  vistas  of  the  ages  dim  and  vast 
We  hear  the  muffled  treading  of  armies   that  have 

passed, 
Through  time's  unceasing  war  between  the  evil  and 

the  good 
The  contest  wages  ever  till  the  right  is  understood. 

Led  by  the  conquering  legions  who  will  make  no  com 
promise, 

O  may  the  suffering  millions,  in  freedom's  name, 
arise, 

To  strive  above  the  sordid  love  of  kindred,  class  or 
clan, 

And  follow  Him  whose  kingdom  is  the  brotherhood  of 
man! 

Wake  unto  action  in  the  glorious  strife; 
Every  soul  to  duty  press  where  the  wrong  is  rife; 
Sheath  all  weapons  carnal,  armed  with  godly  might 
He  alone  shall  conquer  whose  life  is  in  the  right. 


34  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  HOI  V///.V. 


LOST— SAVED. 

I  OST!  lost!  in  the  by-way  turns 

That  meet  in  the  downward  road, 
Whsn  the  soul  the  narrow  highway  spurns 
Which  upward  leads  to  God. 

Lost!  but  a  little  slip  at  first, 

Then  many  a  footfall  down, 
Till  the  fair  of  earth  with  sin  accursed 

Miss  virtue's  shining  crown. 

Lost!  in  the  drunkard's  shadowy  path, 

First  drawn  by  the  sparkling  bowl 
To  enter  the  way  of  sin  and  wrath 

That  ruins  body  and  soul. 

Lost!  how  the  tempting  gleams  of  gold 

Set  honesty  aside, 
Till  by  degrees  the  heart  grows  bold 

In  the  stronghold  of  its  pride. 

Lost!  in  the  vain  and  fruitless  chase 

For  honor,  and  wealth,  and  fame, 
Where  glory  wrapped  in  selfhood  base 

Proved  but  an  empty  name. 

Lost!  through  the  storm  of  passions  wild 

Which  led  the  feet  astray; 
Unconsciously,  through  wrong  beguiled 

They  passed  on  the  downward  way. 

Lost!  for  an  awful  dearth  and  blight 

Rests  on  the  wayward  heart, 
Who,  turned  from  a  knowledge  of  truth  and  right 

Walks  from  all  good  apart. 

Lost!   there  are  stealthy,  subtle  foes 

Who  bind  their  chains  around, 
Till  habits  formed,  their  power  disclose 

And  the  helpless  soul  is  bound. 


LOST—  SAVED. 

Lost!  to  a  sense  of  blushing  shame 
With  a  conscience  seared  and  scarred, 

Rises  no  holy  incense  flame, 
From  out  that  vessel  marred. 

Lost!  O!  shall  we  think  for  aye 
Are  sealed  their  fate  and  doom  ? 

That  through  the  blackness  gleames  no  day 
Their  dark  haunts  to  illume  ? 

Saved!  saved!  from  the  depths  of  woe 

And  endless  misery; 
Saved,  though  fallen  ever  so  low 

Each  human  soul  will  be. 

Saved!  there  are  blessed  angels  sent 

From  glorious  spheres  above, 
Who  cause  the  erring  to  repent 

Through  the  pleading  voice  of  love. 

Saved!  when  the  steps  shall  be  retraced 

With  a  purpose  to  do  right; 
Through  sorrow  alone  is  sin  erased, 

Or  the  spirit  robes  made  white. 

Saved!  for  eternal  justice  grand, 

Rules  all  above,  below; 
Unchanged  and  true  God's  laws  shall  stand; 

"We'll  reap  just  what  we  sow." 


35 


36  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BO  I  Y,//.S. 


OVERCOMING. 

i  tCELF  is  the  lord  of  self "  good  Buddha  taught, 

Who  else  could  rule  o'er  all  man's  passions 
base, 

Subdue  each  foe,  all  wrong  with  good  displace, 
And  find  the  joy  of  life  through  virtue  wrought. 
Devata  just  and  true  have  many  sought, 

Yet  know  not  that  within  must  dwell  his  grace, 

Supreme  uplifting  of  our  mortal  race, 
That  breaks  the  prison  bars  of  sinful  thought, 

And  gives  the  soul  a  God-like  liberty. 
Released  from  all  inordinate  desire 
By  passing  through  truth's  crucible  of  fire, 

The  spirit  from  all  pain  and  sorrow  free 

Finds  rest,  and  peace  and  immortality, 
The  goal  to  whicli  our  trusting  hearts  aspire. 


LIFE'S  PROBLEMS. 

\A/E  stand  within  our  life's  bewildering  thrall 

And  musing,  watch  the  gray  tide  rolling  hither, 
As  swift  the  changing  light  and  shadows  fall 

We  ask  two  questions,    "Whence,  O!  whence  and 

whither.  " 
The  snow  hath  melted  which  our  dear  ones  trod, 

We  saw  it  drip  from  lap  of  spring  away, 
There  is  no  shade  of  them  on  flowery  sod, 

The  earth  forgets  her  children  in  a  day. 
But  soon  we  find  on  prehistoric  rock 

The  foot-prints  of  a  race  to  Time  unknown; 
Where  is  the  key  this  mystery  to  unlock, 

This  guarded  secret  of  the  ages  flown? 
We  know  that  orbs  have  burned  from  out  the  sky, 

That  stars  have  come  to  shine  in  heaven's  dome, 


L/F£'S  PROBLEMS. 


37 


Yet  our  own  destinies  all  hidden  lie, 

If  exiles  or  if  pilgrims,  where  is  home? 
We  ask  the  sea-shell  if  it  knew  our  birth, 

Vet  uninterpreted  its  words  remain; 
We  ask  the  morn,  was  it  of  heaven  or  earth  ? 

She  smiling  answers,  but  alas  !  in  vain. 
We  fall  in  tears  beside  the  shrine  of  prayer 

Where  soul-humility  is  altar-stone; 
Life  keeps  her  lamps  of  revelation  there, 

And  there  to  us  her  oracles  makes  known. 
Our  lips  say,  "Teach  us,"  in  that  hour  of  trust 

When  copious  tears  like  showers  of  rain  come  down, 
And  lo  !  new  hopes  are  blossoming  from  the  dust, 

And  reason  hath  the  sunshine  for  a  crown. 
We  question  not,  from  whence,  with  anxious  brow; 

We  see  the  whither  by  the  inner  light; 
This  bridge  of  sighs,  this  throbbing,  swaying  Now 

Becomes  a  stepping-stone  secure  and  bright. 
Not  where  philosophy  hath  mountains  piled, 

Not  where  research  her  daring  car  hath  driven, 
But  where  the  lowly  violets  lure  the  child 

We  find  the  pathway  to  the  gate  of  heaven. 
The  brave  simplicity  that  still  must  win 

Will  seek  the  pure,  the  beautiful  through  prayer, 
Perceive  God's  love  and  having  entered  in, 

Behold  life's  problems  more  than  answered  there. 


38  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  ROUGHS, 


THE  HINDOO'S  REQUEST. 

In  India  it  has  been  a  custom,  from  time  immemorial  to  burn  the 
dead.  The  Ganges — the  largest  river  in  Hindostan — is  the  Hindoo's 
sacred  stream  in  which  they  freely  bathe,  and  before  which,  they 
perform  their  devotions.  To  die  with  one's  face  toward  its 
waters  is  deemed  by  the  trusting  and  reverential  Hindoo  a  great 
blessing  conferred  on  the  soul.  Their  burial  Ghauts  are  walled  in- 
closures  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  within  which  they  rear  their 
funeral  piles;  for  the  wealthy,  sandal  and  spice  wood  are  used. 
Friends  bring  rice  and  fruit  which  are  placed  in  the  coffin.  Priests 
perform  the  last  duties  with  a  solemnity  becoming  the  scene,  first 
anointing  the  head  and  sprinkling  the  body;  then,  during  the  pro 
cess  of  burning,  they  walk  slowly  around  the  pyre,  "  chanting 
prayers  of  consolations"  and  peace.  Quite  in  contrast  to  Western 
custom,  the  mourners  dress  in  pure  white. 

1 1  CRIENDS  and  kindred,  I  am  dying, 
Death's  cold  hand  is  on  my  brow, 
And  alone,  my  heart  is  sighing. 
That  the  change  is  coming  now. 

"  But  I  ask  you,  yet  to  bear  me 

To  the  Ganges  sacred  stream, 
Where  my  fathers  have  before  me. 

Dreamed  earth's  last  and  sweetest  dream. 

"  I  would  gaze  upon  the  bosom 

Of  those  waters  clear  and  bright, 
Cast  upon  the  tide  some  blossom, 

Emblem  of  immortal  light. 

"  While  I  view  the  sky  above  me, 

And  the  palms  outspreading  wide, 
I  will  think  of  those  who  love  me, 

And  my  time  in  patience  bide. 

"Take  me  at  the  day's  first  dawning, 

Place  me  on  the  verdant  sod, 
And  without  a  thought  of  mourning, 

Leave  me  to  commune  with  God. 


THE  HINDOO'S  REQUEST. 

"  Where  the  winds  and  waves— low  moaning 

Death's  soft  requiem  shall  sing, 
And  the  angel  harps  intoning, 

Heavenly  harmonies  shall  bring." 


Soon  beside  the  flowing  river, 
On  his  humble  mat  he  lay, 

Where  his  soul  went  out  forever 
In  the  golden  light  of  day. 

And  the  last  faint  words  were  spoken 

In  a  spirit  true  and  calm; 
"  Hope  and  trust  are  still  unbroken, 

I  shall  yet  be  one  with  Brahm." 

For  the  ancient  faith  had  taught  him 

Reabsorption  of  the  soul, 
And  a  holy  life  had  brought  him 

Perfect  power  of  self-control. 

Thus  at  rest,  unto  the  mortal 
Friendly  offerings  were  brought, 

As  they  bore  him  through  the  portal 
Of  the  high-walled  burial  Ghaut. 

Kindly  hands  in  preparation 
Reared  the  scented  funeral  pyre, 

And  the  process  of  cremation 
Soon  was  wrought  by  ruthless  fire. 

Priests  with  solemn  rites,  attending, 
Slowly  paced  around  the  pile, 

Incense  sweet  from  censers  sending, 
Chanting  dirges  all  the  while. 

And  the  white-robed  mourners  tarried 
Till  the  last  gleam  died  away; 

Then  in  earth  was  ashes  buried, 
Dust  to  dust  without  decay. 


40  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


PRAISE. 

COR  the  rich  autumn  days,  the  summer's  rare  trea 
sures, 

That  passed  like  a  glad  spirit's  flight; 
For  the  gift  of  our  lives,  their  unfailing  pleasures, 

We  thank  Thee,  O  Father  of  Light ! 

An  unending  chain  of  mercies  eternal, 

From  life's  rosy  dawn  to  its  close, 
Have  filled  all  our  days  with  blessings  supernal, 

While  joy  like  a  fountain  o'erflows. 

We'll  count  the  calm  hours  of  sunlight  and  gladness, 
And  walk  where  the  hope-light  appears; 

We'll  banish  the  clouds  of  sorrow  and  sadness, 
And  praise  Thee  through  smiles  and  through  tears. 

Then  hear,  Father,  hear  our  songs  of  thanksgiving, 

Accept  our  sweet  incense  of  praise; 
Our  voices  shall  tell  in  the  courts  of  the  living, 

The  worth  of  our  fullness  of  days. 


NOT  ALL  A  DREAM. 

I  DREAMED  of  a  flowing  river, 

That  was  fed  from  mountain  and  plain, 
That  came  like  a  harvest  giver, 

To  gardens,  and  fields  of  grain. 
Whatever  it  touched  it  brightened, 

For  life  was  within  its  wave; 
Whatever  it  washed  it  whitened, 

For  in  it  was  power  to  save; 
But  I  dreamed  that  its  waves,  impeded, 

Shrank  back  to  their  little  springs; 
And  the  tide  that  the  great  world  needed, 

Was  circling  in  hand-breadth  rings. 


NOT  ALL  A  DREAM. 

I  dreamed  that  the  angels  planted 

A  vineyard  of  God,  below; 
That  unto  the  earth  was  granted 

The  power  to  see  it  grow. 
That  up  from  her  barren  places, 

Her  desert's  extended  scope, 
Like  music  the  echo  chases, 

Came  voices  of  joy  and  hope. 
But  I  dreamed  that  the  vineyard  perished, 

That  all  but  its  roots  were  dead  ! 
For  strength,  that  its  life  had  cherished, 

Like  dew  of  the  morning  fled. 

And  I  dreamed  of  a  holy  altar, 

Where  Truth  had  kindled  a  fire; 
A  light  for  the  feet  that  falter, 

A  gleam  for  the  eyes  that  tire. 
Its  radiance  flamed  with  a  glory, 

The  dwellings  around  to  fill; 
And  the  earth  was  thrilled  by  the  story. 

Of  the  city  upon  the  hill. 
But  I  dreamed  that  the  altar  tumbled; 

That  its  glow  became  a  spark; 
That  its  steps  and  its  pillars  crumbled, 

And  its  dwellings  around  were  dark. 

I  dreamed  a  new  song  was  started, 

That  floated  the  wide  world  o'er; 
That  brought  to  the  weary-hearted 

A  courage  unknown  before. 
'Twas  the  song  of  the  Revelation, 

The  song  that  the  harpers  sung; 
Its  theme  was  the  new  salvation; 

Its  words  were  the  glad  new  tongue. 
But  I  dreamed  that  its  numbers  ended 

Ere  their  import  half  was  told; 
That  the  singers  from  heights  descended, 

And  covered  their  harps  of  gold. 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Yea,  I  dreamed  that  the  dual  token 

Of  Zion,  was  lost  to  sight; 
And  I  wept,  that  a  bond  was  broken, 

And  quenched  was  a  heavenly  light. 
Then  I  dreamed  that  our  hearts,  in  union, 

Went  out  to  the  children  of  men — 
That  the  swell  of  our  love's  communion, 

The  river  sent  forth  again. 
By  toil  of  our  hands,  united, 

The  vineyard  in  beauty  bloomed  ! 
Devotion  and  truth  relighted 

The  city,  our  home  illumed  ! 
And  the  gift  of  deep  inspiration, 

That  flowed  through  Mount  Zion's  throng, 
Was  heard  by  each  listening  nation, 

And  know  as  the/«//  new  song. 


-*- 


INSPIRATION. 

1WI Y  soul  was  all  aglow  with  holy  thought, 

My  heart  aspired  to  reach  life's  vast  ideal; 

Night's  curtain  parted,  shafts  of  light  reveal 
A  hidden  glory  that  the  morn  has  brought, 
So,  inspiration  chased  the  night  and  caught 

Infinities  bright  beams,  my  soul  could  feel 

Their  glow;  wearing  hope's  everlasting  seal, 
A  clearer  radiance  from  heaven  I  sought. 
But  hark!    faint  voices  from  the  ether  space 

Break  on  the  upper  air,  with  glad  surprise 
I  listen  while  they  say,  with  chastened  grace 

In  daily  ministries.  O  actualize 
Thy  burning  thought!  then  shall  thy  being  trace 

The  hidden  springs  where  God's  deep  fountains  rise. 


'TIS  VICTORY. 


43 


'TIS  VICTORY. 

""THE  power  that  yields  to  death  and  to  defeat, 
Yields  but  the  conquest  to  the  nobler  strife; 
Forces  repellent,  mightier  forces  meet, 
As  fast  recedes  the  ebbing  tide  of  life. 
But,  vainly  cowering  'neath  the  sway  of  doubt 
We  mark  as  death  the  power  that  sets  us  free, 
'Tis  but  transition  unto  joys  more  real, 
The  triumph  of  immortal  life  to  see. 

O  life!  thou  hero,  haloed  but  with  bliss, 
And  laureate  with  emblems  of  thy  grace, 
Thou'st  smitten  but  the  transient  unto  dust, 
Entombed,  the  perishing  receives  its  place. 
While,  'mid  the  tranquil  hush,  the  calm  serene, 
The  spark  that  knoweth  not  decaying  blight 
Thy  snow-plumed  pinions  bear  from  earth  away, 
To  dwell  amid  unchanging  scenes  of  light. 

Why  tread  this  vail  as  one  of  doubts  and  tears  ? 

The  mead  is  sure,  the  recompense  is  just. 

O  life!  thy  power  calms  turbulence  and  fear, 

Divines  the  mission  of  exalted  trust. 

Thy  thrilling  touch  the  latent  germs  revived, 

And  hope's  white  blossoms  swayed  in  balmy  air; 

Thy  voice,  a  minstrel  inspiration  woke, 

As  floats  its  echoes  down  the  aisles  of  prayer. 

Clothed  in  the  majesty  of  thine  alone, 

In  dimless  glory  shines  thy  crown  of  light. 

The  chill  damps  of  the  misty  tomb,  O  life, 

Ne'er  touched  thy  gleaming  robes  of  spotless  white. 

No  shadows  linger  e'er  to  veil  or  mar 

Thy  radiant  form,  in  symmetry  complete, 

Love,  from  grief,  tears  the  sable  pall  of  fear, 

And  at  thy  bidding,  casts  it  at  her  feet. 


44 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


We  view  thee  as  an  angel  form  of  light, 
Enrobed  in  vestments  of  immortal  bliss, 
And  through  the  cloud-wreaths,  view  thee  gleaming 

bright, 

Transfigured  in  thy  perfect  loveliness. 
Conferring  but  the  boon,  perpetual  youth, 
That  knows  no  blight,  no  withering  or  decay; 
As  fresh,  as  bright,  in  emerald  unfold 
The  buds  of  spring- tide  to  the  west  wind's  play. 

The  conflict's  o'er,  the  victory  is  won, 

The  struggling  force  with  force  is  done, — 'tis  o'er. 

The  spirit  greets  the  cheerful  morning  light, 

And  of  earth's  gloom  and  sorrow,  knows  no  more. 

For,  mounting  upward  from  earth's  din  and  strife, 

Disrobed  but  of  its  brief  mortality, 

Its  gladsome  song  through  arched  dome  portals  rung, 

'Tis  spirit  life  and  breath, — 'tis  victory! 


EXALTATION. 

\\  Y  soul  rejoices  in  the  golden  light, 

My  thoughts  are  happy  of  the  vaulted  blue, 

And  O!    my  pleasure  in  the  sparkling  dew 
That  comes  'mid  beauty  of  the  starlit  night 
To  earth  and  plant  and  flower  a  sweet  delight. 

I  feel  transported  with  the  sunset  view 

For  ages  pictured,  yet  still  grand  and  new. 
O  world  of  wonder  to  the  mind  and  sight! 
O  God,  Thou  art  our  God,  most  high,  most  pure, 

Intelligent,  beneficent,  sublime. 
Though  graven  heaps  of  stone  Thy  Name  secure, 

Still  Thou  art  He  who  ruleth  every  clime; 
Who  made  the  earth,  whose  fountains  will  endure, 

A  monument  to  Thee  till  end  of  time. 


THE  ROSE  AND  GOLDEN-ROD.  45 


THE  ROSE  AND  GOLDEN-ROD. 

A  ND  is  this  our  nation's  chosen  flower, 

The  proud,  proud  rose  with  a  velvet  dress, 
The  perfumed  queen  of  the  regal  bower 
That  charms  with  an  outward  loveliness  ? 

True  sign  of  the  royalty  that  rules 

With  sovereign  grace  and  gilded  name, 

Which  springs  from  soil  of  the  old  world  schools, 
From  thrones  where  the  lesser  has  no  claim. 

Shall  we  lean  to  aristocracy, 

And  place  on  our  hearts  its  emblem  rare, 
And  plant  in  the  new  democracy 

Trees  that  its  cherished  blossoms  bear  ? 

Would  we  grasp  the  hidden  thorn  of  power 
That  lurks  'neath  the  beauty  of  the  rose, 

And  pass  unheeded  the  wayside  flower  - 
That  strength  and  safety  alike  disclose  ? 

Through  earnest  struggle  our  fathers  wrought, 
The  seed  of  freedom  was  sown  in  pain, 

Out  of  the  battle  by  sword  and  thought 

A  good  was  brought  that  should  not  prove  vain. 

The  ground  of  this  mighty  continent 

Is  pressed  by  liberty-loving  feet, 
A  noble  race  that  finds  content 

In  homes  where  honor  and  justice  meet. 

Over  New  England's  mountain-towers, 

Over  the  Southland  and  fertile  West, 
They  come  in  their  march  like  the  brave  wild  flowers 

That  deck  profusely  our  mother's  breast. 

From  simple  blossoms  that  beck  and  nod, 
O'er  hills  and  vales  of  our  country  dear, 

I  would  choose  the  stately  golden-rod, 
A  symbol  to  cherish  and  revere. 


46  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

On  the  poorest  spot  of  earth  it  lives, 
To  sun  and  rain  with  bloom  responds, 

In  thanks  for  the  life  that  nature  gives 
It  lifts  to  the  sky  its  shining  fronds. 

Fair  type  of  the  common  people's  aim, 
To  mold  their  thought  to  a  high  ideal, 

Through  honest  effort  to  rear  to  fame 
A  temple  whose  base  is  true  and  real. 

O,  may  the  sun-crowned  golden  crest 
That  waves  on  the  homely  earth-brown  stem, 

A  signet  be  by  the  nations  blest, 
Adorning  our  country's  diadem. 


TENDERNESS. 


F^vOWN  in  the  woodland's  deep  and  solemn  gloom, 
Where  shadows  quiver,  green  boughs  interlace, 

And  soft  cool  zephyrs  tremble  in  each  space, 
The  modest  violets  grow  in  purple  bloom; 
All  wet  with  dews,  exhaling  rare  perfume; 

We  gaze  into  each  bright  uplifted  face, 

They  sweetly  smile  with  soft  and  tender  grace, 
A  glimpse  of  joy  from  worlds  beyond  the  tomb. 
They  seem  to  wear  an  angel's  aureole, 

Such  as  we  see  round  pearly  dew-drops  shine, 

Their  fragrance  like  an  oracle  divine 
Breathes  forth  this  word  to  every  listening  soul, 

"All  life  is  rich  that  humbly  seeks  to  bless," 

O  petaled  message  of  Love's  tenderness! 


THE  OLD  APPLE  TREE. 


THE  OLD  APPLE  TREE. 

OOW  memory's  chain  all  golden-linked 

Girds  well  the  cherished  years, 
Till  pictured  on  their  pillared  walls 

Life's  background  reappears. 
With  many  a  vivid  scene  portrayed 

But  none  more  bright  to  me 
Than  childhood's  home  and  pleasant  thoughts 

Of  our  old  apple  tree. 

In  walled  enclosure  safe  it  stood 

Where  purpling  grapes  hung  high, 
Yet  towered  o'er  all  its  leafy  boughs 

Toward  the  kindly  sky. 
We  shared  the  grapes  but  was  there  aught 

That  grew  so  temptingly, 
As  wine-red  fruit  upon  the  boughs 

Of  our  old  apple  tree  ? 

Scarce  it  is  true,  and  rarely  came 

The  season  that  it  bore, 
We  watched  the  blossoms  of  the  spring; 

And  scanned  our  future  store. 
And  disappointment  filled  our  hearts, 

Instead  of  joyous  glee, 
When  fair  Pomona  failed  to  bless 

Our  dear  old  apple  tree. 

Its  branching  limbs  o'ershadowed  all 

The  grassy  lawn  below, 
Where  we  for  play  and  romping  sport 

Were  oft  forbade  to  go. 
But  no  such  stern  restrictions  given' 

Curbed  there  our  liberty,     • 
We  well  enjoyed  the  pleasant  swing 

In  our  old  apple  tree. 


47 


48  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

We  climbed  the  trunk,  and  quiet  sat 

Within  its  chair-like  arms, 
Full  many  an  hour  to  sew  and  read 

And  share  its  quiet  charms. 
With  nothing  to  disturb  our  peace 

And  sweet  tranquility, 
While  we  were  singing  happy  songs 

In  our  old  apple  tree. 

Around  the  favored  cottage  porch 

The  honey-suckle  twined, 
And  flora's  gems  all  beautiful 

Their  redolence  combined. 
These  met  the  city  travelers'  gaze, 

Bright  gladsome  sight  to  see, 
But  in  a  more  secluded  spot 

Grew  our  old  apple  tree. 

An  hundred  years  and  more  it  stood 

This  history  to  trace, 
That  once  a  rustic  farmhouse  stood 

Within  that  very  place. 
When  city  walls  were  closing  round, 

'Twas  very  plain  to  see, 
Not  long  would  place  be  granted  there 

For  quaint  old  apple  tree. 

And  lo!  there  came  a  time  of  doom, 

Its  growth  became  less  firm, 
And  in  its  grand  old  generous  heart 

There  burrowed  ant  and  worm. 
A  nuisance  to  the  housewife  neat 

As  all  good  folk  agree, 
And  then  that  dread  command  was  given 

To  fell  our  apple  tree. 

To  growing  boys  it  seemed  but  fun, 

Their  prowess  to  display, 
As  axe  and  hatchet  did  their  work 

Upon  that  fatal  day. 


HOME. 

With  tearful  eyes  one  mourner  viewed 

The  scene  regretfully, 
For  deep  affection  had  enshrined 

That  choice  old  apple  tree. 

With  branches  cleft,  the  trunk  laid  low, 

With  wedges  firmly  driven, 
And  all  its  toughened  fibers  rent, 

By  ruthless  powder  riven, 
Consigned  to  flames  its  precious  wood, 

Yet  sweet  the  memory 
That  lives  to  bless  fair  childhood's  dreams 

And  our  old  apple  tree. 


-*- 


49 


HOME. 

/^\UR  Zion  home  is  not  adorned 

With  pictured  walls,  or  gold; 
Nor  in  a  glittering  chain  of  pearls, 

Is  all  her  glory  told. 
She  bears  the  substance  of  sweet  peace, 

The  treasure  of  pure  love; 
Her  power,  truth  and  holiness 

That  rule  the  heavens  above. 

Her  walls  are  made  of  living  stones, 

With  brightness  they're  aglow; 
They  form  the  temple  of  the  Lord, 

Where  souls  His  truth  may  know. 
And  all  who  come  beneath  this  dome 

May  work  for  virtue's  fame, 
Gain  the  true  riches  through  that  life 

Which  claims  a  blessed  name. 

O,  happy  jiome,  what  joys  are  thine! 

Who  from  thy  courts  would  go 
To  be  a  slave  to  passions  base, 

In  wickedness  to  grow  ? 


MOU.\T  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

My  heart  will  keep  the  sacred  law 

That  holds  us  in  one  band, 
And  feast  upon  the  heavenly  fruits, 

That  grow  in  Canaan's  land. 

With  dear  companions  I'll  unite 

In  consecrated  toil. 
And  growing  in  the  glorious  light, 

Will  till  the  gospel  soil. 
And  when  we  leave  this  mortal  shore, 

To  dwell  with  saints  above, 
We'll  breathe  a  prayer  that  holiness 

May  bless  the  home  we  love. 


-*- 


LINCOLN  AND  STANTON. 

O TRANCE  was  their  station,  called  to  guide  a  strife 

That  shook  a  continent  from  sea  to  sea; 
To  order  death  along  the  ranks  of  life, 

And  wrap  in  flames  the  blessings  yet  to  be. 

'Twas  theirs  to  speak  the  word  of  stern  command 

That  gave  the  inspiration  to  the  hour. 
As  if  they  knew  an  earnest  spirit  band 

Sustained  and  aided  every  human  power. 

They  struck  with  deadly  shafts  the  monstrous  crime 
That  fiends  had  fortified  with  walls  of  lies; 

They  made  it  feel  the  weight  of  judgment-time, 
In  crimson  earth  and  more  than  crimson  skies. 

They  made  the  wrath  of  man  conduce 
To  aid  the  plans  of  wisdom  and  of  love, 

To  turn  the  raging  passions  into  use, 

They  sent  the  vulture  to  precede  the  dove. 


LINCOLN  AND  STANTON.  5I 

'Twas  theirs  to  make  the  red-mouthed  cannon  speak, 

And  call  the  warrior  to  the  gory  field; 
And  it  was  theirs  to  screen  the  low  and  meek, 

And  be  for  God,  their  guardian  and  their  shield. 

When  storms  of  fury  swept  across  the  land, 
We  sought  protection  only  from  on  high; 

They  broke  the  cloud  to  show  us  mercy's  hand, 
And  bade  us  on  the  nation's  heart  rely. 

In  faith  we  prayed  that  duty  might  be  done, 
That  freedom  might  her  heritage  possess, 

That  peace  and  victory  through  terrors  won, 
Should  "come  to  stay,"  and  banish  all  distress. 

And  is  not  prayer  a  focalizing  power, 
To  draw  the  fires  of  truth,  to  burn  the  dross  ? 

Ah!  well  we  proved  it  in  that  fearful  hour 
When  human  vision  saw  but  human  loss. 

'Twas  not  for  party  nor  for  section  proud, 

That  Zion's  ardent  supplications  rose; 
But  that  the  land  should  be  with  right  endowed, 

And  God  should  His  progressive  laws  disclose. 

O  day  of  grief!   the  Proclamation's  page 

Shining  with  triumph  that  the  world  might  feel, 

Aroused  the  spirit  of  unconquered  rage 
That  stamped  it  fiercely  with  a  sable  seal. 

Thus  it  became  the  death  decree  for  him 
Who  was  an  instrument  of  hosts  unseen; 

It  was  a  passport  through  the  valley  dim, 

And  through  the  gates  that  mighty  forces  screen. 

We  saw  the  tears  that  mingled  near  and  far 
Wash  from  that  seal  the  blackness  of  its  face, 

Until  it  beamed  a  brilliant  rising  star, 
A  pledge  of  freedom  to  an  injured  race. 


52  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  HOUGHS. 

How  thoughtfully  our  hearts  recall  that  time; 

How  place  we  Stanton  close  by  Lincoln's  side 
Amid  his  toils,  his  sacrifice  sublime, 

And  'neath  the  burdens  of  whose  weight  he  died. 

One  balmful  thought  to  which  he  oft  referred, 
And  drew  its  solace  round  his  closing  life, 

Was  that  his  heart  compassionately  heard 
The  pleas  of  conscience  to  be  free  from  strife. 

They  called  him  stern;  no  gentler  soul  drew  near 
For  tranquil  respite  from  harsh  hampering  care; 

No  kindred  heart  e'er  held  our  love  more  dear 
Nor  felt  the  unction  of  affection's  prayer. 

Thus  we  remember  him  whose  waving  hand 

Had  millions  swayed  as  strong  winds  sway  the  sea; 

Whose  soul-integrity  profound  and  grand 
Raised  simple  heart-life  into  majesty. 

O,  not  with  hero  worshipers  we  bend, 

But  honor  those  that  met  the  nation's  need, 

That  bore  her  through  the  struggle  to  the  end, 
And  made  calamity  to  victory  lead. 

Stanton  and  Lincoln  joined  in  Freedom's  name, 
Alike  intent  to  win  her  cause  for  earth; 

But  one  had  zeal  that  burned  a  solemn  flame, 
And  one  had  ardor  flamed  with  solemn  mirth. 


BEAUTIFUL  RIVERS.  53 


IDEALIZE  THE  REAL. 

''"PIS  earnest  strife  that  wins  the  shining  goal; 

'Tis  glowing  hope  that  lights  the  cloudy  way, 

And  life  divine  turns  darkest  night  to  day. 
'Tis  patience  that  brings  comfort  to  the  soul, 
And  holy  thought  holds  passion  in  control. 

Sweet  mercy  cometh  when  we  love  and  pray, 

And  wisdom,  when  God's  law  our  hearts  obey, 
By  these  is  life  made  beautiful  and  whole. 
E'en  if  thy  duties  lead  in  lowly  lines 

These  heavenly  states  thou  mayest  realize; 
E'en  if  some  obstacle  thy  power  confines 

Within  thy  limits  thou  mayest  upward  rise; 
But  if  thou  canst  not  reach  thy  high  ideal 
With  ceaseless  love  and  care,  idealize  the  real. 


BEAUTIFUL  RIVERS. 

DEAUTIFUL  rivers,  like  silvery  threads 

Coursing  their  way  over  dark  sandy  beds, 
Sweeping  through  valleys  and  circling  the  hills, 
Gathering  the  ripples  from  thousands  of  rills, 
Flowing  from  mountain,  from  rock  and  from  dell 
Ocean-bound  waters  with  music  to  swell; 
Brooklet  and  fountain  and  deep  placid  lake, 
Greet  the  bright  waves  on  your  surface  to  break. 

Beautiful  rivers  that  gladden  the  earth, 

Spirit  of  waters  with  joy  gave  you  birth, 

The  smile  of  her  face  was  impressed  on  your  tide, 

Beaming  forever  as  onward  you  glide; 

Joyously  singing  the  song  of  the  free, 

Giving  with  pleasure  your  wealth  to  the  sea: 


54 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  KOl'GHS. 


Dancing,  and  glancing  with  sunbeams  at  play, 
Never  shall  cloud  on  your  sunny  face  stay. 

Beautiful  rivers,  majestic  and  grand, 

Blessing  the  desert  of  Egypt's  fair  land; 

Waking  the  verdure  'neath  tropical  sun, 

Flowering  the  sands  where  your  golden  streams  run; 

Filling  the  air  with  the  moisture  it  needs, 

Rising  like  incense  of  kind  loving  deeds, 

Forming  the  clouds  over  mountain  and  plain, 

Falling  in  copious  showers  of  rain. 

Beautiful  rivers,  that  rolled  on  your  way 
Long  before  man  saw  the  light  of  the  day; 
Long  e'er  the  light  gazelle  sought  you  to  drink, 
Long  e'er  the  wild  races  dwelt  on  your  brink. 
They  who  made  hunting  and  fishing  their  aim 
Came  and  passed  on.  yet  you  flowed  the  same. 
Now,  all  along  by  your  rocky  bound  course 
Shrieks  the  shrill  voice  of  the  fleet  iron  horse; 
Civilization,  with  quick  pulse  and  heart, 
Rears  its  bold  front  and  its  busiest  mart. 

Beautiful  rivers,  so  calm  in  your  flow, 
Vessels  of  freight  safely  sail  to  and  fro, 
Gliding  like  nymphs  o'er  your  broad  open  breast, 
Ploughing  the  waves  to  a  foam -beaten  crest; 
Thus  through  the  means  art  and  science  can  wield, 
Men  interchange  the  rich  fruits  of  the  field, 
Commerce  and  trade,  with  their  works  of  renown 
Spread  their  white  sails  by  the  city  and  town. 

Beautiful  rivers,  your  murmurings  sweet 
Sing  to  my  spirit  of  concord  complete; 
Ev'ry  clear  drop  that  may  enter  your  tide, 
Knows  not  the  spirit  that  seeks  to  divide: 
O,  that  life's  current  thus  smoothly  might  roll 
Free  from  the  care  that  perplexes  the  soul, 


A  DESERT  SPRING. 


55 


Stirring  its  depths,  till  the  whirlpool  of  strife 
Sinks  all  the  good  that  would  gladden  our  life. 


'Tis  by  the  side  of  some  beautiful  stream, 

I  would  sleep  my  last  sleep,  and  dream  my  last  dream; 

Waking  to  joy  on  the  bright  sunny  shore, 

To  walk  by  the  river  of  life  evermore; 

Leaving  no  trace  of  my  pilgrimage  here 

Save  in  the  hearts  of  the  loving  ones  dear; 

Ripples  shall  murmur  a  song  soft  and  low. 

As  the  tide  of  mv  life  on  forever  shall  flow. 


A  DESERT  SPRING. 

A    DESERT  traveler,  worn  with  dust  and  heat, 
O'er  sandy  stretches  went  his  weary  way; 

Dying  with  thirst  he  lowly  knelt  to  pray, 
That  Allah  kind  would  send  the  draught  so  sweet. 
With  eyes  upturned,  the  smile  of  heaven  to  meet, 

He  rose,  when,  sparkling  in  the  noon-tide  ray 

He  saw  a  fountain  rise  to  greet  the  day; 
With  gladdened  heart,  with  faith  and  joy  replete 
He  stooped  to  drink,  and  saw  that  waters  gushed 

From  out  a  rocky  ledge  where  man  ne'er  trod; 
And  then  his  soul  within  grew  still  and  and  hushed, 

On  arch  above  was  carved  the  name  of  "  God." 
O,  faith  and  trust  such  simple  lessons  teach, 
God's  blessings  lie  not  far  beyond  our  reach. 


56  MOUNT  LEBAXOX  CEDAR  ROL'GHS. 


ZION'S  SOUL  COMMUNION. 

I F  I  may  kneel  beside  the  waves  of  prayer, 

And  kiss  the  shore; 
In  spirit  kneel,  for  Mother's  gift  is  there, 

I  ask  no  more. 
This  gift  hath  all  my  life  shall  ever  need, 

For  Mother's  love 
Will  downward  to  the  Jordan  waters  lead 

Where  broods  the  Dove. 
What  if  the  waves  roll  high,  and  I  must  swim, 

I  will  not  quiver. 
The  land  beyond,  so  bright,  no  storms  can  dim, 

I'll  brave  that  River. 
Prayer  and  repentance  still  are  crested  waves 

That  hold  the  light; 
Their  union  buoys  the  soul,  inspires  and  saves; 

They  know  not  night. 

0  kindred,  blessed,  yearning,  toiling  souls, 

My  heart  bows  low; 

1  feel  the  mighty  river  as  it  rolls 

In  holy  flow. 
Here  on  its  banks  the  "  tree  of  life"  is  found, 

Its  fruits  we  share; 
Across  its  depths,  transparent  and  profound, 

'Tis  yet  more  fair. 
The  call  to  waverers  is,  "  Be  not  sad, 

Nor  pause  to  doubt; 
But  seek  the  stream  that  makes  the  city  glad; 

Woe  is  without." 
Is  there  one  child  that  Mother's  love  would  win, 

That  will  not  hear? 
Is  there  one  heart  that  would  decide  to  sin 

Through  lust  or  fear  ? 
The  voice  of  many  waters  answers,  "  Nay!  " 

Each  guileless  one, 


Z ION'S  SOUL  COMMUNION. 


57 


Turning  in  simple  grace  to  learn  to  pray, 

"Thy  will  be  done," 
Shall  through  the  crystal  current,  see  the  world — 

Its  awful  state, 
Where  Eden's  enemy  in  roses  curled, 

For  prey  doth  wait. 
Then  shall  sweet  lessons  on  the  spirit  crowd, 

By  faith  illumed; 
Then  it  shall  cry,  "  If  I  am  longer  proud, 

Oh!  I  am  doomed! 
Dear  gospel  kindred,  now  I  know  your  worth, 

Help  me  to  win 
The  life  transcendent,  far  away  from  earth — 

I  hate  all  sin." 
So  ran  the  meditation  of  the  hour, 

When  saints  unite 
To  seek  the  increase  of  the  spirit  power, 

And  error's  flight. 
To  pray  for  every  heart,  in  every  need, 

From  age  to  youth. 
And  that  the  earth  make  ready  for  the  seed 

Of  virgin  truth. 
O  when  I  felt  the  perfume  rising  up 

From  each  pure  shrine, 
There  was  a  joy  within  my  spirit's  cup 

Which  seemed  like  wine. 
That  I  might  bring  frankincense  and  sweet  myrrh 

With  Mother's  few, 
And  make  the  sacrifice  sought  out  by  her, 

Was  blessing  true. 
To  have  with  them  a  humble  place  and  name 

From  sin  removed, 
Was  more  than  gorgeous  gifts  of  wealth  and  fame. 

Such  gladness  proved. 
Dear  ancients  of  the  city,  lingering  pray 

Through  twilight  time, 
Help  Zion  to  accept  the  seven-fold  day 

Of  light  sublime. 


58  MOUNT  LEBAXON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

To  be  established  in  the  truth  revealed 
That  strikes  earth  dumb. 

God's  missionary  mountain  unconcealed 
Whose  word  is  "  Come." 


-*- 


MEMENTO  MORI. 

C  ARTH-LIFE  is  brief,  the  whole  but  as  one  day; 
'Tis  like  the  dawning  of  the  golden  sun 

Which,  at  its  height,  full  half  its  course  is  run, 
Anon  how  shortened  grows  meridian  ray. 
O  happy  youth,  so  blithesome,  free  and  gay, 

Remember  in  thy  morn,  life  just  begun, 

The  eve,  when  ill  or  well,  thy  deeds  are  done, 
And  fair  or  graceless  thou  shall  pass  away. 
The  face,  may  sometimes  inner  life  reveal, 
And  deeds  in  part,  the  silent  thought  make  known. 
But  in  the  world  to  come,  no  forms  conceal, 

All  undisguised,  the  soul  is  clearly  shown. 
Then  live  thy  best,  the  change  of  death  to  feel 
With  consciousness  that  God  thy  life  doth  own. 


THE  POET  WHITTIER. 

A  S  desert  travelers  watch  a  star, 

Dear  friends  had  watched  his  rolling  years, 
Deeming  his  inner  life  afar 

While  he  but  held  them  as  his  peers. 
They  on  the  dusty,  heated  plain, 

Or  'neath  the  palm-trees  cooling  shade 
Spoke  of  his  heart's  ennobling  strain, 

His  words  of  light  that  could  not  fade; 


THE  POET  WHITTIER. 


59 


And  marveled  that  when  war  was  red, 

His  pen  undaunted  by  its  breath 
Crept  through  the  lines,  till  slavery  dread 

Was  reached,  unveiled  and  pierced  to  death. 
They  knew  he  had  a  poet's  eyes 

To  penetrate  each  opaque  cloud, 
And  see  the  hidden  prospects  rise 

That  mists  of  coming  day  enshroud. 
A  royal  gift,  a  sage's  mind, 

Whose  realms  of  thought,  O!  who  could  trace; 
It  held  the  truths  that  angels  find, 

He  set  them  forth  with  hallowed  grace. 
A  poet's  spirit  more  than  these 

They  recognized  with  joy  and  pride, 
And  felt  that  nature's  sacred  keys 

In  love  to  him  she  did  confide. 
And  yet  they  said  "his  austere  school  " 

Had  wrought  for  him  its  meed  of  harm, 
Nor  deemed  that  gentle  Quaker  rule 

Gave  to  his  life  its  nameless  charm. 
They  had  the  world's  unbounded  scope, 

Its  heights,  its  depths,  its  utmost  rim; 
Unhampered  fancy,  flashing  hope, 

But  not  the  substance  found  by  him. 
The  fear  which  is  the  love  of  God, 

The  bond  which  is  the  Golden  Rule, 
The  Holy  Spirit  deep  and  broad, 

Form  not  for  souls  an  austere  school. 
Religion  never  was  a  creed, 

It  is  from  heaven,  a  deathless  flame, 
A  quickening  pulse,  a  living  seed, 

In  every  age  and  clime  the  same. 
We,  sheltered  in  our  Zion  home, 

Guess  dimly  at  the  bitter  strife, 
Where  raging  billows  lashed  to  foam 

Mark  progress  to  a  better  life. 
We  bless  the  workers  of  the  world 

Who  toil  amid  the  breakers'  roar, 


60  MO  UN  T  LEBA  \O.\  CEDA  K  JiO(  'GffS. 

With  bright  "  Excelsior"  unfurled 

And  compass  pointing  to  the  shore. 
To  him  who  in  the  darkened  hour 

Still  raised  the  lily  as  a  sign, 
That  right  and  purity  had  power 

Which  must  be  pledged  in  heavenly  wine. 
Our  Whittier,  may  we  make  the  claim, 

When  he  his  world-wide  feelings  gave 
To  hold  man's  brotherhood  the  same 

From  reigning  potentate  to  slave. 
Unselfish,  universal  good 

From  us,  from  him,  uncramped  must  flow, 
Till  nations  in  one  sisterhood 

Shall  kinship  and  its  blessing  know. 
Oft  when  the  beacon  fires  we  feed, 

Or  lamps  of  faith  revive  and  fill, 
We  feel  the  earth's  great  pressing  need 

And  God's  great  loving,  saving  will. 
Above  is  Revelation's  star, 

That  heralds  the  advancing  sun, 
Beneath  whose  glory  near  and  far 

That  saving  will  shall  yet  be  done. 
And  as  we  climb  the  path  of  light 

Our  spirit's  journey  not  alone, 
Nor  doubt  we  that  the  mountain's  height 

Is  God's  Eternal  Throne. 


THE  FUTURE  IS  OURS. 

I  STAND  entranced  upon  the  Mount  of  Vision, 

And  watch  the  shadows  slowly  disappear; 
I  catch  bright  glimpses  of  that  land  Elysian, 

Where  truth  hath  triumphed  in  its  grand  career. 
The  mists  of  time  like  darkening  clouds  impending, 

Are  vanishing  before  the  morning  light; 
I  fed  that  God  His  heralders  is  sending 

To  usher  in  the  glorious  dawn  of  right. 


HEART  LESSONS.  6X 

There  have  been  those  upon  this  earth  of  ours, 

Who  tarry  here,  though  numbered  with  the  dead, 
Their  memories  rise  like  incense  breathing  flowers, 

Whose  fragrance  last  e'en  when  their  life  has  fled. 
From  sordid  gain  and  honor  backward  turning, 

They  sought  on  earth  a  higher  joy  to  find, 
They  nobly  toiled,  all  selfish  impulse  spurning, 

They  lived  to  God,  to  truth,  and  all  mankind. 

And  now  we  see  'twas  no  Utopian  dreaming, 

That  fired  their  souls  into  a  holy  flame, 
They  saw  the  twilight  through  the  midnight  gleaming, 

We  see  the  sunrise,  and  the  darkness  wane. 
'Tis  now  for  those  who  feel  earth's  needs  and  losses, 

Unflinchingly  to  keep  God's  laws  divine; 
To  raise  truth's  standard  'gainst  opposing  forces, 

And  speak  the  true  word  in  the  storm  and  shine. 

The  sins  of  earth,  of  ignorance  and  error, 

That    long  have  chained   the  soul   in  thralldom's 

might, 
Shall  quail  beneath  truth's  mighty  power  with  terror, 

And  vanish  in  the  coming  golden  light. 
O,  bright  the  future  as  it  flows  toward  us! 

Diffusing  glory,  sweeping  sin  away; 
With  radiant  hope  the  heavens  are  beaming  o'er  us, 

Now  is  the  dawning  of  the  perfect  day. 


HEART  LESSONS. 

A    LITTLE  spark,  the  sky  is  full  of  stars  ; 

O  mighty  midnight !  how  can  I  be  thine  ? 
For  e'en  the  mists  send  up  their  hiding  bars, 
Lo  !  all  the  heavens  flashed  the  answer — "Shine." 


62  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAK  KOl'GHS. 

A  hidden  stream,  in  fissure  dark  I  weep, 
Through  rockv  cavern,  lost  my  feet  must  go  ; 

One  chamber  echoes,  o'er  its  jags  I  leap 
And  ocean  bids  me  "Welcome"  to  its  flow. 

A  fragile  blossom  on  a  giant  tree 

Watches  the  shadows  swaying  on  the  ground  ; 
While  sundrawn  sap,  while  wind  in  every  key 

Encircling  press,  its  inner  life  to  round. 

A  speckled  lark  upon  a  daisied  sod 
With  listening  ear  and  russet,  untried  wing, 

Stood  mute  amid  the  music  poured  to  God 
Till  sweet  Aurora  bade  her  rise  and  sing. 

A  pale  rose  murmured  on  a  lonely  stem, 

"How  can  I  bless  when  thorns  around  me  wreathe 

The  lilies  give  the  lake  its  diadem  ;" 
June  climbed  the  thorns  and  softly  wispered, 
"Breathe." 

If  star  and  stream,  if  blossom,  bird  and  rose 
Can  feel  their  destiny,  and  keep  their  sphere, 

Does  not  faith's  intuition  still  disclose 
The  growth  and  action  that  we  must  not  fear  ? 

A  common  round  within  a  common  space  ; 

Can  aught  be  common  where  God's  glory  falls, 
With  love  that  gives  the  burnished  sheen  of  grace 

To  hold  the  heart  within  the  jasper  walls? 

No  life  but  hath  its  gleam  to  light  the  page, 
Its  tides  to  freshen,  and  its  fragrant  flowers, 

Its  golden  fruit,  its  cheering  song  to  raise — 
O  heart  awake  !  expand,  diffuse  thy  powers. 


THE  BIRD  CRAZE. 


TWO  WHEELS. 

"TWO  wheels  there  are,  the  ruts  of  one  we  trace, 

The  other  never  leaves  its  wonted  place, 
One  rolls  amid  the  spoils  of  conquest  won, 
The  other  silent  is  when  duty's  done. 
One  meets  the  bloom  in  morning's  early  gray, 
Returning,  withered  rose  leaves  strew  its  way  ; 
One  breaks  the  waters  flow,  then  takes  its  curls, 
And  makes  its  silver  tresses  into  pearls. 
Which  serves  the  most  with  use  the  world  to  grace, 
The  wheel  that  turns  the  mill,  or  runs  the  race  ? 
God  governs  all,  if  in  his  love  we  rest, 
Where  wisdom  rules  in  duty  we  are  blest. 


THE  BIRD  CRAZE. 

A   WOMAN  whom  fashion  long  held  in  her  sway, 

Whose  vanity  naught  could  embarrass, 
Was  decked  in  rich  silks  and  velvets  all  gay, 

And  a  beautiful  bonnet  from  Paris. 
A  head-dress,  you  know  to  the  feminine  mind 

Is  the  principal  point  of  attraction, 
A  part  of  adornment  we  frequently  find 

That  causes  a  mental  distraction. 
And  here  was  the  thought  that  filled  her  whole  heart, 

The  style  was  so  sweet  and  becoming, 
She  knew  that  her  friends  would  admiringly  start, 

For  the  birds,  you  could  almost  hear  humming. 
Two  dear  little  mates  decked  the  front  of  the  crest, 

With  plumage  the  brightest  and  fairest, 
And  over  the  crown — like  an  inverted  nest — 

Spread  wings  of  a  songster  the  rarest. 


64  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  ribbons  that  folded  the  coronet  round 
Gave  a  touch  and  a  grace  most  exquisite, 

A  bonnet  more  charming  could  never  be  found 
Though  all  the  bean  monde  she  should  visit. 

A  change  wrought  by  magic,  comes  over  our  theme, 

Which  causes  a  simple  digression, 
This  creature  of  taste  had  a  wonderful  dream 

Which  made  on  her  mind  an  impression. 
She  seemed  to  be  dressed  a  la  mode — cap-a-pie, 

For  Sol's  blessed  southland  preparing, 
A  journey  most  pleasant  new  beauties  to  see, 

Where  nature  a  glad  smile  is  wearing; 
She  was  there,  transported,  delighted  and  thrilled 

For  forests  and  groves  were  most  charming, 
Where  sunny-hued  songsters  their  blithe  music  trilled, 

No  terror  their  wild  haunts  alarming. 

But  lo  !  fatal  day,  a  behest  to  fulfill, 

The  huntsmen,  with  powder  and  ration 
Came  fully  prepared  the  dear  minstrels  to  kill, 

To  meet  the  demands  of  Dame  Fashion. 
Quick  came  the  reports,  and  they  fell  to  the  ground 

Like  innocent  victims  in  battle, 
In  the  midst  of  the  slaying  our  dreamer  was  found 

Transfixed  with  the  din  and  the  rattle. 
The  birds  flew  around  her  and  screamed  in  their  fright 

Till  their  cries  pierced  her  heart  with  a  meaning 
And  turned  into  sorrow  her  days  of  delight 

The  truth  of  the  vision  unscreening. 

They  spoke  to  her  soul  with  a  plaintive  appeal 

"O  indolent  daughter  of  pleasure  ! 
The  pain  that  we  suffer  you  surely  must  fee!, 

For  justice  will  mete  her  full  measure." 
All  over  the  tropics,  from  sun  unto  sun 

The  vandals  are  scouting  and  raiding, 
And  thousands  of  birdlings  are  slain  one  by  one, 

Such  cruelty  God  is  upbraiding. 


A  PLEA  FOR  THE  TURKEYS.  65 

This  work  of  destruction  by  unhallowed  hands, 

Shall  meet  with  a  full  compensation, 
For  blight  and  destruction  shall  rest  on  the  land, 

And  insects  make  great  devastation. 

She  nodded  her  head  :  from  dreamland  awoke,. 

But  the  vision  she  knew  must  be  real, 
A  horror  her  head-dress  now  seemed  to  invoke 

In  the  light  of  a  humane  ideal. 
She  said,  "  I  have  learned  a  deep  lesson  from  this, 

A  vow  I  will  make  as  a  token, 
The  forfeit  of  life  shall  ne'er  yield  me  bliss, 

May  it  never,  O,  never  be  broken  ! 
My  sisters  ,who  thoughtlessly  yield  to  caprice, 

Let  us  live  for  some  nobler  endeavor, 
And  weave  for  our  brows  the  fair  laurels  of  peace, 

And  banish  the  bird-craze  forever." 


A  PLEA  FOR  THE  TURKEYS. 

I  SAW  them  first  when  with  their  mother,  they 

Took  scratching  lessons,  peeped  a  turkey  song. 
And  wandered  in  the  grass  that  turned  to  hay 
When  summer  sun  grew  hot  and  days  were  long. 

Again  I  saw  them  in  their  youthful  prime 
After  the  moulting  days  had  swiftly  passed, 

And  thought  how  dextrously  old  Father  Time 
Had  worked,  to  make  their  feathers  grow  so  fast. 

But  months  passed  on,  the  festal  time  drew  near, 
The  turkeys  grew  in  strength  and  size  and  weight; 

But,  oh,  alas!  I  felt  a  sudden  fear, 
And  pity  smote  me  as  I  mourned  their  fate. 

I  saw  the  gory  execution  block, 

And  sharpened  ax  that  told  of  days  gone  by 
When  man  against  his  kind  with  cruel  shock 

Condemned  them  by  the  guillotine  to  die. 


66  MOUNT  LEBANON   CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

But  justice  seemed  to  call  for  deeds  of  shame 
In  those  fell  days  when  anarchy  ran  wild, 

And  truth  and  liberty  bore  all  the  blame, 

When  slaughter  bade  worst  foes  be  reconciled. 

But  in  the  death  of  these  poor  innocents 
Not  even  justice  could  approve  the  waste, 

And  mercy  shocked,  forsook  the  murderous  tents 
Where  men  raised  blood-stained  hands  and  killed 
for  taste. 

And  when  I  saw  the  dread  dissecting  knife 
Wielded  by  hands  that  nurse  the  infant  race, 

And  not  content  with  simply  taking  life, 

They  mutilate  the  corpse, — oh,  foul  disgrace! 

And  then  before  the  market-place  in  rows 
I  saw  the  naked  victims  cold  and  pale, 

And  seemed  to  hear  them  say  in  dying  throes, 
"  Come  cannibals,  our  bodies  are  for  sale." 

My  heart  sank  in  me,  for  in  dream  I  saw 
Children  and  lords  and  ladies  (?)  sit  and  jest, 

Yea,  even  judges  of  the  moral  law, 

And  sport  about  the  part  they  fancied  best. 

Oh  pitiless!  we  send  the  Holy  Book 

And  missionaries  where  the  heathen  roam, 

But  in  our  folly  blindly  overlook 
The  unconverted  heathen  here  at  home. 


THE  JEWS  GATHERING  MANNA. 


''TWAS  never  painted,  artists'  brush  would  fail 

To  reproduce  a  scene  so  vast  and  grand, 
And  brightest  colors  only  blur  and  pale 
Before  the  light  that  fell  upon  that  land. 


NO  TIME  TO  LOSE. 

The  sunlight  lying  like  a  warp  of  gold 

Beneath  a  woof  of  diamond-glittering  dew; 
The  rainbow  pearly  mist  that  upward  rolled 

To  form  the  clouds  beneath  the  arch  of  blue. 
And  then  a  million  of  the  crushed  and  poor 

O'er  whom  progressive  angels  anxious  brood, 
Bending  to  this  first  lesson  to  secure 

By  equal  labor,  pure  and  simple  food. 
'Twas  never  pictured;  pencil,  voice  nor  pen 

Could  ne'er  portray  it,  for  the  world  ne'er  saw 
In  all  the  mighty  host  of  gathered  men 

So  many  governed  by  so  grand  a  law. 


67 


NO  TIME  TO  LOSE. 

FOR    THE   CHILDREN. 

4  4  M O  time  to  lose,"  say  the  tiny  buds 

As  they  catch  the  spring-tide's  beam; 
"  We  must  open  our  calyxes  green  and  gold, 
E'er  our  wonderful  bloom  is  seen." 

"  No  time  to  lose,"  say  the  blithesome  birds, 

As  they  fly  with  straw  and  hay, 
"  Not  even  time  for  our  sweetest  song, 

Till  the  daylight  turns  to  gray." 

"  No  time  to  lose,"  say  the  busy  bees, 

"  In  these  golden  sunny  hours 
We  must  sip  the  dew  so  pure  and  sweet 

From  the  cups  of  a  thousand  flowers." 

"  No  time  to  lose,"  say  the  working  ants, 
"  We're  always  busy,  you  know, 

We  gather  our  store  in  the  summer  days 
Ere  the  winter  brings  the  snow." 


68  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOL'GHS. 

"No  time  to  lose,"  say  studious  girls, 
"  While  our  school-days  glide  away 

We'll  fill  our  minds  with  every  good, 
Nor-our  moments  waste  in  play." 

Then  we  will  learn  from  the  buds  and  flowers, 
From  insects, — the  ants  and  bees; 

Lessons  of  industry,  patience,  trust, 
Nature  is  teaching  us  these. 


-*- 


"GIVE  US  THIS  DAY  OUR  DAILY  BREAD." 

C\  TRUSTFUL  prayer  !  by  earnest  heart  expressed, 

The  simple  utterance  of  a  common  need  ; 
A  want,  awakened  in  each  human  breast, 

That  seeks  for  some  sustaining  power  to  feed. 
Christ  taught  his  true  disciples  thus  to  pray — 

While  by  his  gentle  hand  their  souls  were  led 
To  trace  the  shining  paths  of  wisdom's  way — 

"Lord,  give  to  us  this  day  our  daily  bread." 

Along  the  centuries'  broadening  aisles, 

Whence  come  the  precious  truths  of  long  ago, 
We  see  the  sunbeams  of  those  golden  smiles, 

That  flood  the  earth  with  an  eternal  glow. 
The  bud  and  blossom  of  the  passing  years, 

Their  harvest  fruitage  in  our  pathway  spread, 
To  this  blest  prayer  the  answer  now  appears. 

"Lord,  give  to  us  this  day  our  daily  bread." 

While  millions  in  the  fated  Orient 
Have  yielded  to  starvation  stern  and  gaunt ; 
While  plague  and  scourge,  on  direful  mission  bent, 
Have  filled  the  sunny  South  with  woe  and  want, 
Our  home — among  the  hills  that  God  hath  reared, 
Where  timely  showers  and  gentle  dews  are  shed — 
Has  not  by  scorching  heat  and  drought  been  seared, 
For  we  have  shared  each  day  our  daily  bread. 


FAITH. 

Thus  while  we  ask,  O  !  let  us  not  forget 
That  constant  blessing,  like  a  silvery  stream 
In  peaceful  flow,  our  hearts'  desires  have  met, 
Till  all  life's  toil  and  duties  pleasant  seem. 
Ah  !  in  the  consciousness  of  doing  right, 
The  crystal  sea  of  perfect  truth  we  tread, 
And,  dwelling  in  the  glory  of  its  light, 
Receive  from  angel  hands  our  daily  bread. 

And  now  within  this  sacred,  calm  retreat, 
Once  more  our  gifts  on  Nature's  shrine  we  lay  ; 
O  !  may  their  perfume  rise  like  incense  sweet, 
And  mingle  with  our  orisons  to-day. 
While  we  commune  from  all  the  world  apart 
As  did  that  Judean  band,  with  Christ  their  head, 
Likewise  we  pray  with  fervency  of  heart, 
"Lord,  give  to  us  this  day  our  daily  bread." 

The  fruits  of  union  and  the  sweets  of  love, 
The  harvest-yield  of  friendship's  precious  seed, 
The  ripened  sheaves  that  peace  hath  stored  above, 
These  shall  supply  our  spiritual  need. 
And  for  the  mortal  we  would  seek  for  wealth 
That  springeth  from  earth's  rich  and  fruithful  bed, 
The  food  that  giveth  lengthened  life  and  health, 
Give  us  this  day,  O,  Lord  !  for  daily  bread. 


69 


FAITH. 

"\A7HILE  on  the  sea  of  life,  what  faith  is  mine, 

I  walk  upon  the  wave,  nor  fear  the  tide  ; 
When  earth-born  ebon  clouds  arise  and  hide 

The  azure  sky,  like  Bethlehem's  star  'twill  shine 

And  lead  the  way  to  perfect  light  divine. 

'Tis  like  the  form  of  Christ  when  storms  betide, 
It  whispers  to  the  soul,  "O  e'er  abide 

In  God,  and  kneel  at  Truth's  pure,  sacred  shrine." 


70  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  voice  of   doubt  speaks  not  of  holy  peace, 
Nor  of  the  gifts  we  covet  as  the  best. 
Thus  while  I  hold  this  light  within  my  breast 
My  soul  shall  know  no  failing,  but  increase 
In  that  pure  way  whose  blessings  ne'er  will  cease, 
Not  e'en  when  passing  life's  severest  test. 


HOPE. 

DEYOND  the  mists  are  verdant  sunlit  ways, 

Beyond  the  clouds  are  sun-kissed  mountain  heights, 

Beyond  the  night,  the  morning's  cloudless  lights, 
Beyond  the  winter's  storm  the  song-bird's  lays, 
The  spring- tide  fragrance  and  the  perfect  days. 

O  list,  creation's  chorus  of  delight, 

For  life  is  born  of  death,  as  day  of  night, 
It  hath  its  harvest  too,  its  meed  of  praise. 
Then  come,  bright  hope,  with  rainbow  tinted  wings, 

Sing  like  a  bird  of  promise  glad  and  sweet, 
Sing  to  our  hearts  of  pure  and  holy  things  ; 

For  grief,  joy,  loss  and  gain,  each  heart  must  meet, 
The  honey  and  the  gall,  yea  all  time  brings, 

Our  lips  must  taste  to  find  life  most  complete. 


-*- 


LOVE. 

I  OVE  born  of  God  !  what  power  is  more  divine? 
Transcendent  excellence  !  O  what  compares 

With  this  great  sovereign  good  ?  What  soul  declares 
A  holier  power?  it  will  all  hearts  refine  ; 
Unlimited,  no  boundaries  confine. 

Possessing  all,  the  light  of  truth  it  wears, 

Unceasingly,  surpassing  gifts  it  bears, 
In  it  all  true  and  sacred  things  combine. 


SYMPA  THY  WITH  FRIENDS  IN  THE  WEST.         yz 

Pure  love  is  watchful,  tho'  it  slumbers,  does  not  sleep, 
Fatigued,  but  not  exhausted,  long  endures. 

Who  sows  to  love,  the  fruit  of  love  will  reap, 
And  treasures  which  its  blessedness  insures. 

Expand  O  heart,  its  power  transforming  feel, 

God's  love  in  thee  will  God  alone  reveal. 


SYMPATHY  WITH   FRIENDS  IN  THE  WEST. 

WRITTEN    FOR    BRETHREN    AND     SISTERS     OF     SOUTH 
UNION,    KY. 

\A7HEN  traitors  to  their  country's  cause 

In  fraud  and  treachery  grew  bold; 
When  sacred  bonds  were  snapp'd  like  straws, 

And  Judas  bargained  as  of  old; 
We  pray'd  your  little  stricken  band 
Might  firmly  for  the  Gospel  stand. 

And  in  the  hour  when  war's  dread  storm 
Built  round  your  home  a  wall  of  fire; 

When  wild  reports  of  ev'ry  form 

Rush'd  forth  like  phantoms  filled  with  fire, 

We  turn'd  our  hearts  to  God  in  prayer, 
That  He  would  keep  you  in  His  care. 

We  watch 'd  the  showers  of  shot  and  shell, 
'Mid  lightning's  flash  and  cannon's  roar, 

And  thought  there  must  be  peace  in  hell, 
For  earth  her  own  confusion  bore; 

And  humbly  bent  our  hearts  to  pray 

That  God  the  fearful  scourge  would  stay. 

When  neither  friendly  man  nor  law 

Could  yield  protection  or  relief, 
The  Lord,  who  all  your  peril  saw, 

Raised  up  the  fierce  guerrilla  chief.* 

*  Morgan. 


72  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Thus  human  wrath  in  our  own  days, 
Was  turned  by  miracle  to  praise. 

When  clouds  and  sorrows  deepened  fast, 
Doubt  spread  a  curtain  o'er  the  land, 

As  fold  on  fold  was  thickly  cast, 

We  saw  through  it  the  Lord's  own  hand, 

And  prayed  that  in  that  hour  of  night, 

Your  dwellings  might  be  filled  with  light. 

And  when  the  bondmen's  smother'd  cries 
Came  like  the  voice  of  moaning  waves; 

When  earth's  red  bosom  burst  with  sighs 
And  gave  her  bleeding  children  graves, 

We  pray'd  that,  in  that  matchless  woe 

The  Lord  would  ev'ry  wrong  o'erthrow. 

And  ever  and  anon  there  came 

From  you,  brave  words  of  faith  unmoved; 
We  knew  the  Lord  the  hearts  would  claim 

Whose  true  dependence  he  had  proved; 
With  tears  we  bow'd  to  God  in  prayer 
To  give  you  strength  to  do  and  bear. 

Though  still  the  hour  is  wild  and  dark,* 
And  persecutions  lash  your  home, 

The  guarding  hosts  your  sorrows  mark, 
And  they  will  turn  the  waves  to  foam; 

While  earnestly  our  spirits  pray 

That  God  may  speed  the  better  day. 


*  The  South  Union  Society  is  now  threatened  by  the  Ku  Klux 
Klan  for  employing  freedom. 

During  the  progress  of  the  war  the  Shaker  societies  passed 
through  a  peculiar  experience.  Those  of  them  located  in  the  State 
of  Kentucky  (Pleasant  Hill  and  South  Union)  were  for  years  in  the 
power  of  the  Union  and  Rebel  armies  alternately.  And,  although 
they  fed  the  hungry,  and  clothed  the  naked,  and  nursed  the  sick  of 
both  the  contending  forces,  thus  "giving  aid  and  comfort  to  ene 
mies,"  yet  the  officers  of  either  army  restrained,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  depredations  of  the  rank  and  file. 

They  suffered  and  lost  immensely  in  person  and  property,  but  not 


TRUTH.  73 

As  from  the  fount  unceasing  streams 

Flow  to  the  valleys  far  away, 
As  through  the  gloom  the  morning's  beams 

Tunnel  and  gild  the  path  of  day, 
Our  anxious  hearts  o'erflow  to  bless 
Our  gospel  kindred  in  distress. 

Thus,  thus  is  Christ  united  found, 
His  life-blood  all  true  members  feel; 

In  joy  or  sorrow  they  are  bound, 
And  stamp'd  with  love — the  heavenly  seal. 

So,  join'd,  we  ever  will  move  on, 

And  watch  and  pray  to  still  be  one. 


-* 


TRUTH. 

/CURBED  be  the  spirit  that  would  dauntless  be 
In  the  fierce  strife  of  crushing  out  the  truth, 
The  light  of  age,  the  guiding  star  of  youth, 
The  priceless  pearl  of  life  and  liberty. 

Dark  would  be  earth  had  Truth  no  victory  won, 
Still,  dull  monotony  would  beat  her  round, 
While  spirits  wrapped  in  stoic  sense  profound, 

Would,  like  the  glacier,  coldly  spurn  the  sun. 


unto  death,  or  entire  destruction   of  the  temporal  or  community 
organization. 

The  frequent  communications  to  the  more  favorably  situated 
societies  of  the  East,  graphically  detailing  the  scenes  through 
which  they  were  constantly  passing,  excited  one  continued  state  of 
fear  and  alarm  among  the  brethren  and  sisters,  leading  to  the  most 
fervent  prayers  to  the  God  of  Christians  for  their  protection  and 
safety.  The  following  lines,  just  written  to  those  long-tried  West 
ern  Shakers,  will  be  understood  when  it  is  stated  that  Morgan,  the 
guerrilla  chief,  was  especially  friendly  and  protective  to  them. 


74 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Shine  on,  O  glorious  Truth!  forever  bright; 

Pursue  thy  course  e'en  to  the  nether  sphere, 

Till  superstition's  altars  disappear, 
And  error  quails,  and  cowers  in  trembling  fear. 

Till  crumbling  thrones  their  tyrant-sceptres  yield, 
And  bear  instead  the  trident  of  the  right, 
Love,  Justice,  Mercy,  triple  power  of  might, 

These  conquest  gain,  upon  thy  battlefield. 


THE  CRY  OF  THE  SUFFERING. 

T'HE  earth  hath  need  of  prophets  in  this  day, 
Who  will  not  down,  and  will  not  quiet  be, 
Who  fear  not  creeds,  nor  danger,  nor  delay, 
But  speak  the  truth  for  God's  humanity. 

"  New  times  demand  new  systems  and  new  men," 
Then  why  embalm  the  old  ones  long  since  dead  ? 

Why  set  the  boundary  to  a  law,  and  then 

Condemn  the  hungry  when  they  fight  for  bread  ? 

Earth's  cry  of  suffering  rises  like  the  cloud 

That  hung  so  darkly  over  Sinai, 
While  Israel  stood  below,  a  faithless  crowd, 

And  Moses  caught  the  tablets  from  the  sky. 

Borne  on  the  lightning  and  the  thunder  peals 
We  hear  the  echo  of  man's  strife  with  man, 

While  patient  Justice  to  our  souls  reveals 
The  curse  that  lingers  in  oppression's  plan. 

Strong  manhood  languishes  in  fetters,  cast 

At  the  fierce  forge  of  its  necessity 
And  then  is  branded,  and  condemned  at  last 

To  prison  cells.     Who  says  that  man  is  free  ? 


THE  MILLIONAIRE'S  DAUGHTER.  75 

Who  talks  of  virtue  ?    When  the  man  is  starved 
Can  conscience  hesitate  and  question  law  ? 

Nay,  it  must  sin  and  see  its  tombstone  carved, 
Nor  raise  a  voice  to  justify  its  cause. 

Ah!  where  is  virtue,  when  our  womanhood 
Must  sell  its  birthright  for  a  crust  of  bread  ? 

Must  tread  its  feet  upon  the  soul  of  good 
And  heap  the  coals  of  shame  upon  its  head  ? 

And  where  is  virtue  when  the  children  dear 
Must  learn  with  care  the  youthful  ruffian's  art? 

And  with  the  strife  for  money  boldly  sear 
The  early  promptings  of  an  honest  heart? 

The  haughty  may  condemn  with  words  of  pride 
The  humble  victims  of  their  craft  and  hate, 

But  though  delayed,  'twill  never  be  denied 
The  justice  that  must  come  though  ne'er  so  late. 

And  it  will  come,  the  promises  are  sure, 

God's  voice  we  hear  above  the  strife  and  din, 

The  triumph  comes  to  spirits  who  endure; 
And  goodness  will  erase  the  blight  of  sin. 


THE  MILLIONAIRE'S  DAUGHTER. 

A    PROPHECY. 

SHE  came  before  him  in  the  simple  guise 
That  decks  the  floret  of  the  field  and  wood, 
But  never  fairer  to  his  world-worn  eyes 

Had  seemed  the  beauty  of  her  maidenhood. 
Yet  missed  he  not  sheen  pearls  nor  vesture  rare, 
Till  heavy  tears  with  sudden  rush  came  down, 
As  summer  cloud-gems  start  the  dreamy  air 
When    darting    lightnings     pierce    the     noonday's 
crown. 


76  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Awaked  he  then  to  note  the  boding  change, 

The  utter  absence  of  the  girlish  pride, 
The  earnest  manner,  the  emotion  strange, 

E'en  folly's  ostentation  cast  aside. 
"Why  greet  with   tears,"   he  said,    "and   why  this 
dress; 

In  my  long  absence  Fortune's  wheel  went  round, 
And  only  stopped  at  mountains  of  success, 

It  was  enough,  my  hopes  were  more  than  crowned. 

"I  may  not  guess  my  wealth,  'tis  deep  and  high, 

Its  girt  is  in  the  years  I  shall  not  see, 
Its  gold  horizons  toward  thy  sunset  lie, 

For  all  my  plans,  my  aims  are  but  for  thee." 
"  Alas!  "  she  cried,  "  appalling  is  success 

That  takes  calamity  to  any  heart, 
That  from  the  wheel,  the  rack-wheel  of  distress 

Flings  dismal  ruin  as  its  counterpart. 

"You  question,  whence  this  knowledge  of  the  moil, 

Your  daughter's  mind  should  never  touch  its  rim; 
You  kept  her  far  from  groveling  hords  of  toil, 

Whose  hands  are  smirched,  whose  savage  souls  are 

grim. 
Finding  by  chance  a  truth-illumined  page 

I  soon  disguised,  stood  smitten  mid  a  throng 
Where  want  and  slavery  in  every  stage 

Had  crushed  the  weak  and  galled  the  brave  and 
strong. 

"Yet  they  portrayed  less  sharply  than  I  felt, 

Their  souls  had  lamps,  my  soul  had  sheets  of  flame; 
I  could  have  there  to  any  beggar  knelt, 

And  asked  forgiveness  for  my  sin  and  shame. 
O,  father!  they  impeached  such  men  as  you 

Whose  force  united  might  reclaim  the  world; 
On  friends  I  deem  most  noble,  wise  and  true, 

The  plundering,    murderous  brigand's    name  was 
hurled. 


THE  MILLIONAIRE'S  DAUGHTER.  77 

"  And  I  your  idol,  selfish,  useless,  blind, 

Whose  casket  symbolizes  woe  of  heart; 
Whose  wasteful  wealth  that  keeps  one  life  enshrined 

Leaves  shrinking  pale  one's  passion's  reeking  mart, 
Leaves  famine  to  the  mother  and  her  brood, 

And  to  half-famished  manhood,  bitter  thought 
Of  death's  deep  bed  beneath  the  icy  flood, 

Or  wild  revenge  by  torch  or  dagger  wrought. 

"  Through  tear-lens  of  keen  sympathy  I  trace 

The  matted  wrongs  that  God  with  pity  views; 
The  wrested  heritage,  the  exiled  race, 

The  reckless  havoc  speculation  strews. 
But  mortgage  rests  on  each  in  human  claim, 

No  scheming  magnates  can  remove  its  weight, 
And  swift  foreclosure  must  result  the  same 

As  in  the  hosts'  and  chariot  riders'  fate." 

She  paused,  transfigured  with  o'erwhelming  prayer, 

That  swelled  for  wretchedness  throughout  the  earth, 
Her  soul-throbs  knocking  on  the  door  of  care 

That  shuts  from  mortals  all  that  life  is  worth. 
To  him,  as  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye, 

Stern  truth  confronted  ancient  codes  of  fraud, 
Of  sanctioned  wrongs,  of  crimes  that  underlie 

Man's  dire  transactions — blasphemies  of  God. 

Then  memory  turns  the  "  volume  of  the  Book  " 

That  brands  oppressors  and  defends  the  weak, 
Whose  holy  inspirations  never  brook 

The  base  achievements  wily  graspers  seek. 
Greed's  condemnation  stamped  on  every  verse, 

In  vain  the  rich  man  scans  the  Sacred  Word; 
The  plea,  the  mandate,  prophecy  and  curse 

Once  scarcely  noticed,  now  like  thunder  heard. 

Can  he  exclaim,  "  Who  thwarts  the  Father's  plan 
Defeats  the  answer  to  the  Savior's  prayer  ?  " 

The  soul's  Accuser  cries,  "Thou  art  the  man, 
Though  of  thy  sin  uncounted  thousands  share." 


78  MO I'Nr  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

It  is  for  him  to  take  with  spirit  bold, 
With  patriotic  fire,  and  potent  zeal, 

Christ's  golden  rule  for  Mammon's  rule  of  gold, 
That  henceforth  he  may  work  for  human  weal. 

It  is  for  her  like  Miriam  by  the  sea 

To  lift  her  voice  not  with  triumphal  strain, 

But  with  a  Marseillaise  the  land  to  free 
From  hard  Monopoly's  imperial  reign. 


SYMPATHY. 

M  OT  like  the  glaciers  of  the  sea, 

Cold  and  repellent  stand, 
But  let  the  tide  of  sympathy, 
Flow  out  from  heart  to  hand. 

Stern  and  forbidding  natures  start 

By  love's  electric  thrill, 
The  icy  crags  of  thought  depart 

Where  sunny  beams  distil. 

One  word  hath  power  the  heart  to  move, 

If  love  its  motive  be, 
And  we  by  our  experience  prove, 

The  worth  of  sympathy. 

Too  many  hearts  are  crushed  by  woe, 

Too  many  minds  despair, 
Tho'  dark  may  seem  the  earth  below, 

All  heaven  is  bright  and  fair. 

Then  let  not  gloom  nor  sorrow  chill 

The  rising  pulse  of  life, 
Let  light  and  joy  our  spirits  fill, 

Whate'er  may  be  our  strife. 


TRUE  GOODNESS. 


79 


TRUE  GOODNESS. 

VK/HERE  shall  we  find  that  wealth  of  soul, 

True  goodness  pure  and  deep, 
That  worketh  by  the  golden  rule 

Its  recompense  to  reap  ? 
Not  in  the  soul  whose  lips  would  speak 

In  loud  and  lengthy  prayer, 
Yet  feeleth  not  for  others'  needs 

Their  sorrow  and  their  care. 

It  glows  in  smiles  of  tenderness, 

In  every  loving  deed, 
In  thrilling  tones  of  sympathy 

They  prove  a  friend  in  need; 
And  in  the  heart,  deep  rooted  there 

Is  its  true  glory  seen, 
Shedding  a  Christ  like  radiance, 

As  did  the  Nazarene. 

O  ever  blessed  power  of  good, 

Within  my  being  shine  ! 
And  may  thy  graces  lovingly 

Around  my  spirit  twine; 
For  I  would  crave  the  pearls  of  truth, 

And  purity  of  heart, 
To  deck  my  spirit  now  in  youth, 

And  joy  to  me  impart. 

That  mine  may  be  a  life  made  blest 

By  goodness  e'er  untold  ; 
Thus  weaving  for  my  spirit  form 

A  robe  more  bright  than  gold, 
That  is  not  dimmed  by  length  of  years,. 

Nor  worn  by  moth  nor  rust, 
But  brighter  grows  by  deeds  well  done 

While  in  this  form,  of  dust. 


80  MO  I  'A' T  L  EBA  NON  CEDA  R  BOL  TGHS. 


'HOW  SWIFT  THE   SHUTTLE   FLIES  THAT 
WEAVES  THY  SHROUD."— YOUNG. 

'TIME  with  a  swift  momentum  plies, 

As  through  life's  web  his  shuttle  flies, 
Twining  the  fibres  that  fate  has  spun 
All  through  the  years  since  life  begun  ; 
Threading  the  woof  of  hours  and  days 
Drawn  through  our  devious  winding  ways  ; 
Loosing  the  tangled  ends  of  time, 
Weaving  them  all  in  rythmic  chime  ; 
Binding  the  broken  threads  of  thought 
Each  by  his  skillful  fingers  caught. 


Soon  shall  the  garment  woven  be, 
Ere  thou  shall  enter  eternity, 
But,  O  thou  mortal !  be  not  proud, 
Time  with  his  shuttle  weaves  thy  shroud. 


-*- 


FORGIVENESS. 

I  ET  us  forgive;  we  all  sometime  have  erred, 

Have  sometime  brought  the  tears  to  smiling  eyes, 
Have  sometime  Mercy's  gentle  call  deferred, 
Have  failed  to  help  the  soul  that  strove  to  rise. 

Not  all  through  malice  have  these  deeds  been  done, 
Not  always  have  the  blows  been  aimed  by  hate, 

Nay,  love  hath  often  crushed  a  smitten  one, 
Or  waked  to  pity  when  it  proved  too  late. 

It  is  not  new  this  little  tale  I  tell, 
'Tis  past  invention  of  small  art  like  mine, 

But,  if  it  cheer  some  struggling  one,  ah  well, 
It  proves  that  ancient  jewels  still  may  shine. 


FORGIVENESS.  8l 

'Twas  at  the  day's  first  dawning,  gleaming  rays 

Fell  soft  on  lofty  minaret  and  spire, 
When  Islam's  prophet,  filled  with  reverent  praise 

Went  to  the  mosque,  as  holy  rites  require. 

The  ashes  on  his  forehead  were  of  death, 
And  accents  trembled  where  they  once  were  strong, 

As  there  he  taught  with  failing,  feeble  breath 
The  greatest  lesson  of  his  life  grown  long. 

"If  there  be  one  (so  spoke  the  dusky  saint) 
To  whom  I  owe  a  debt,  if  there  be  one 

Who  honestly  can  offer  a  complaint, 
Speak  now,  and  let  great  Allah's  will  be  done. 

"If  I  have  wrongly  judged  a  fellow  man, 
Who  have  borne  rule  in  Allah's  wondrous  name, 

I  pray  you  tell  me  now,  the  telling  can 
Bring  not  a  touch  of  censure  or  of  blame." 

No  sound  was  made,  save  but  a  sob  of  woe, 
Till  one — a  woodman  spoke  in  solemn  way, 

"My  Prophet,  one  small  sum  to  me  you  owe 
For  needed  fuel  brought  to  you  one  day." 

"Allah  be  praised  !"  Mahomet  kindly  said, 

'  'Tis  well  with  those  who  reckon  ere  too  late  ; 
Take  home  thy  dues  and  be  thou  comforted, "' 
We  will  not  fear  to  meet  at  Heaven's  gate."     - 

And  so,  his  face  serene  with  tranquil  smile, 
And  heart  from  toil  and  earthly  burdens  free, 

He  passed  the  gate  of  death,  praying  the  while, 
"Allah  forgive  my  sins,  I  come  to  Thee." 


82  M(>r.\ r  u-:/!A.\o.v  CEDAR  />v>r<v//.y. 


SILENCE. 

DE  quiet,  soul,  still  as  the  distant  stars 

That  tread  all  noiselessly  their  way  along  , 

In  circling  orbits  moving  ever  on 
In  perfect  harmony  ;  no  earthly  jars, 
No  warring  tones  their  solemn  grandeur  mars  ; 

Then  gaze  into  the  silent  depths  where  throng 

The  starry  multitudes  ;  list  the  heavenly  song, 
The  music  of  the  spheres,  beyond  earth's  bars. 
Thus  in  thy  depths,  O  thou  unfathomed  soul 

A  power  invisible  holds  sway  supreme, 
Awake  to  consciousness,  own  its  control 

And  keep  thy  inner  life  calm  and  serene. 
Hark  the  voices,  "deep  calling  unto  deep," 
In  soulful  silence  heaven's  best  gifts  we  keep. 


RENEWAL. 

\A/E  seek  communion  blest  through  silent  breathing 

prayer, 

With  ministers  of  light  who  oft  drew  nigh, 
And,  as  we  turn  from  scenes  of  outward  sense  and 

care, 
We  feel  their  inspiration  from  on  high. 

They  quicken  unto  zeal,  they  come  with  conquering 

might, 

From  thrall  of  error's  chains  to  bring  release; 
Through  strife  of  elements  betwixt  the  wrong  and 

right, 
They  bear  the  prophecy  of  rich  increase. 

They  bring  a  chastening  power,  repentance  deep  and 

true, 
A  gift  for  Zion's  children  far  and  near, 


RENEWAL.  83 

To  cleanse  her  courts  from  sin,  and  covenants  renew, 
Her  sacred  laws  and  statues  to  revere. 

They  will  revive  the  flames  of  holy  altar  fires, 
Where  souls  sincere  to  God  their  offerings  bring, 

And  find  the  blessed  power  that  wakens  new  desires 
To  live  for  truth,  and  to  its  precepts  cling. 

Then  Zion's  broken  walls  rebuilt  shall  firmly  be 

By  those  who  willingly  her  principles  maintain, 
"  One  faith  "  and  "one  baptism,"  "one  Lord"  they 

all  shall  see, 

And  heart  to  heart  be   linked   in   union's  golden 
chain. 

To  Faith's,  clairvoyant  eye  the  future  seemeth  bright, 
Though  shadows  now  may  Israel's  glory  dim; 

More  radiantly  will  glow  true  revelation's  light, 
Than  did  Shekinah  over  Cherubim. 

And  all  those  sacred  gifts  will  more  than  be  restored, 
That  once  have  rested  on  the  Lord's  household, 

When  over  multitudes  His  spirit  shall  be  poured, 
As  prophecy  declared  in  days  of  old. 

Then  old  philosophies,  and  husks  of  earthly  lore, 
No  more  the  hungry  mind  will  seek  as  food, 

For  "  hid  with  Christ  in  God  "  is  wisdom's  boundless 

store, 
And  those  who  there  abide  find  every  good. 

Ideals  grand  in  truth  as  pictures  will  adorn 
The  chambers  of  the  soul  from  sin  made  free, 

No  glittering  dust  of  earth  with  raiment  shall  be  worn, 
But  gems  whose  light  can  never  tarnished  be. 

God's  temple  then  will  stand  restored  and  purified, 
And  '  neath  her  threshold  roll  a  living  stream, 


84  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Whose  currents  deep  and  clear  with  broad  outflowing 

tide 
Life's  desert  wastes  to  fruitage  will  redeem. 

Pure  inspiration's  gift  will  light  her  glorious  dome, 
Its  oracles  of  truth  spread  far  and  wide, 

That  many  souls  may  find  in  Christ  a  lasting  home 
And  know  of  holy  joys  that  e'er  abide. 


-*- 


PRESS  ON! 

DRESS  on,  true  soul,  with  patient  firm  endeavor, 

Tho'  life's  to  thee  a  heavy  load  of  care; 
Keeping  thy  heart  in  trust  and  hope  forever, 

God  helpeth  those  who  bravely  do  and  bear. 
What  tho'  there  dawns  for  thee  no  glad  to-morrow, 

And  life's  made  cold  by  harsh,  embittering  scorns; 
What  tho'  thou  wear'st  the  robe  of  grief  and  sorrow, 

And  on  thy  brow  a  crown  of  many  thorns. 

Press  on,  true  soul !  e'en  tho'  the  seed  thou'st  scat 
tered 

On  barren  and  un watered  ground  was  sown; 
Think  not  in  vain  was  all  thy  toil  expended, 

Because  no  bl'essedness  of  fruit  is  shown. 
There  is  no  deed  nor  aspiration  holy, 

But  meets  its  recompense  in  realms  above, 
And  loving  ones  descend  to  bless  the  lowly, 

Who  daily  make  their  life  a  work  of  love. 

Press  on,  true  soul!  nor  let  thy  footsteps  falter, 
Tho'  storms  and  shadows  often  intervene; 

They  win  the  prize,  whose  purpose  does  not  alter, 
They  reach  the  goal  who  brave  each  adverse  scene. 


GETHSEMANE.  85 

All  feet  must  pass  the  thorny  road  of  trial, 
All  hearts  must  suffer  for  the  truth — the  right; 

And  they  who  tread  the  way  of  self-denial 
Are  precious  in  our  heavenly  Father's  sight. 

Press  on,  true  soul!  no  night  but  hath  its  morning, 

And  God's  all  radiant  love  shall  shine  at  last; 
Tho'  ebon  clouds  eclipse  the  golden  dawning, 

Faint  not;  the  gloom  of  night  will  soon  have  passed. 
Therefore,  press  on  through  weary  scenes  of  sadness, 

Through  summer's  heat,  and  winter's  stormy  strife; 
Thou  soon  shall  reach  the  vernal  heights  of  gladness, 

Where  blooms  the  summer  of  eternal  life. 


GETHSEMANE. 

THERE  was  a  garden  where  the  Savior  prayed, 
In  agony  of  soul.     Dark  was  the  night, 

The  stars  refused  to  shine,  the  moon  to  light 
The  deep  seclusion  where  the  Master  strayed. 
Alone  He  suffered,  while  His  soul  was  swayed 

With  throes  of  pain  endured  for  truth  and  right. 

Our  minds  retire,  night  hides  from  us  the  sight 
Of  God's  blest  Son  by  wicked  man  betrayed. 

And  O,  our  Father!  bend  Thy  listening  ear 
When  we  to  our  Gethsemane  retire, 

We  agonize,  we  bow  in  reverent  fear, 
O  satisfy  our  longing  and  desire, 

And  in  these  hours  send  angel  helpers  near. 
To  lift  our  stricken  souls  to  regions  higher. 


86  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  OF  JESUS  ON  EARTH. 

LI  OPE  with  joyous,  starry  pinion 
Speeds  into  the  coming  day; 
Love  goes  back  through  time's  dominion 

On  the  pilgrim's  rugged  way, 
Love  goes  back  to  him  who  sorrowed 

O'er  the  wicked  and  perverse, 
Back  to  him  who  toiled  and  suffered, 

To  destroy  the  Eden  curse. 

Love,  like  Mary,  bows  and  listens 

When  the  multitudes  are  taught, 
In  her  eyes  emotion  glistens 

When  the  miracles  are  wrought. 
What,  to  her,  is  learning's  station 

With  its  pompous  iron  sway  ? 
Better  far  the  soul's  salvation 

Spoken  of  in  simple  way. 

Parables,  from  nature  taken 

Illustrate  the  law  divine, 
And  the  honest  soul  awaken 

To  the  truths  that  round  it  shine. 
Still  the  world  will  kill  the  lowly, 

For  it  loveth  but  its  own; 
Hearts  that  would  be  pure  and  holy 

Still  the  press  must  tread  alone. 

Jesus  gave  His  life  for  others, 

None  could  minister  to  Him, 
Though  He  fain  would  make  them  brothers, 

Yet  their  spirit-life  was  dim. 
All  they  knew  He  had  imparted, 

Streams  their  source  can  not  supply; 
They  were  faithless  and  faint-hearted, 

When  the  darkened  hour  drew  nigh. 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  OF  JESUS  ON  EARTH.  87 

When  the  last  sad  meal  was  ended, 

And  the  solemn  hymn  was  o'er, 
They  the  mountain  slope  ascended 

With  a  grief  unknown  before. 
All  their  love  to  Him  had  centered, 

They  had  known  Him  as  a  man; 
But  their  hearts  had  never  entered 

Into  God's  deep,  holy  plan. 

When  the  grief  He  could  not  smother 

Pressed  on  Him  with  heavy  weight, 
They  were  striving  with  each  other, 

Who  among  them  should  be  great. 
They  were  children,  and  He  led  them; 

Their  affections  round  Him  grew; 
Carefully  he  taught,  and  fed  them 

In  the  life  and  spirit  new. 

Oft  He  gathered  them  together, 

To  baptize  their  souls  in  flame, 
They,  like  lonely,  desert  heather, 

Knew  not  whence  the  spirit  came. 
Theirs  was  fervent,  human  feeling, 

Tender  sympathy  and  love; 
God  was  to  his  soul  revealing 

Elements  they  knew  not  of. 

Every  human  love  must  perish; 

Fairest  flowers  fading  part; 
And  the  closest  ties  we  cherish 

Break  and  wreck  the  trusting  heart. 
Let  this  lesson  ever  waken 

Strength  within  the  struggling  soul; 
Principles  are  never  shaken, 

God  has  kept  them  true  and  whole. 

They  will  grow  and  brighten,  ever, 
'Neath  the  angels'  chast'ning  rod; 

They  will  form  our  home  forever — 
"  Stones  "  approved  and  blest  of  God. 


88  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

O  my  spirit,  thou  art  lifted 
With  a  burst  of  holy  song, 

And  thy  inmost  sight  is  gifted 
With  a  vision,  sought  for  long. 

What  to  thee,  is  earthly  trial  ? 

O,  behold  the  heavenly  state! 
In  the  clouds  of  self-denial, 

Toil,  and  for  fruition  wait. 
Numbered  not  with  any  nation 

Truthful  hearts  must  strive  alone, 
Till  a  glory  and  salvation 

Shall  throughout  the  earth  be  known. 


PERFECT  THROUGH  SUFFERING. 

A    CLOUD  o'erhangs  my  way;  I  can  not  see; 
A  darkening  trial  fills  my  soul  with  dread, 

And  every  doubting  step  my  feet  must  tread, 
Leads  but  to  labyrinths — uncertainty, 
Where  weird-like  shadows  flit  unceasingly. 

O  faithless  heart!  O  blinded  sight  that's  led 

Where  phantom  shapes  their  ghostly  presence  shed, 
Anoint  thine  eyes  with  faith  and  thou  shalt  see, 
Shalt    see    the    cloud    fringed  with   hope's  radiance 
bright; 

Shalt  see  thy  woe  an  angel  sanctified, 
That  gently  leads  thee  on  through  sorrow's  night, 

If  thou  but  calmly  trust  in  faith  abide. 
Ope  wide  thy  soul,  let  in  the  holy  light, 

And  lo!  thy  inner  life  is  glorified. 


SUNRISE  AROUND   THE  WORLD. 


BE  CALM. 

DE  calm,  O  thoughts,  that  flit  like  restless  birds 
In  ceaseless  flight  on  light  fantastic  wing, 

As  swallows  circle  in  the  air  of  spring, 
Which  know  not  of  the  wondrous  power  that  girds 
The  universe,  where  God's  deep  thought  hath  stirred 

The  impulse  of  creative  life,  which  brings 

The  growth  and  beauty  of  external  things, 
Blest  gifts  upon  our  mortal  state  conferred. 
Thus  in  the  depths  of  soulful  silence  wakes 

The  consciousness  of  a  celestial  sense  ; 

Bright  reflex  of  Supreme  Omnipotence 
Which  on  the  inner  life  in  glory  breaks, 
Of  imperfection  full  cognizance  takes, 

And  gives  for  sacrifice  a  recompense. 


SUNRISE  AROUND  THE  WORLD. 

C^  RE  AT  symbol  of  the  Universal  Light ! 
^•^     We  marvel  not  that  men  have  worshiped  thee, 
For  in  thy  coming  speeds  the  darkest  night, 
Thy  glory  lumes  with  gladness  land  and  sea. 

First  morning  dawns  o'er  the  Pacific  isles, 
O'er  palm  grove,  coral  reef  and  the  lagoon, 

Where  nature's  grandeur  in  luxuriance  smiles, 
And  spicy  breezes  yield  a  rare  perfume. 

Westward  its  course,  irradiating  still 

Australia  vast  and  beautiful  Japan, 
Where  golden  ores  proud  Britain's  coffers  fill, 

And  kingly  gardens  sweetest  zephyrs  fan. 


go  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Next  Java's  seas  and  China's  waters  gleam 
With  shimmering  sunlight  soft  and  warm, 

One  decked  with  spots  where  life  and  fragrance  teem, 
And  one  with  many  ships  of  antique  form. 

O  ancient  land  of  prehistoric  lore  ! 

Of  idol  gods  and  philosophic  dreams  ; 
Though  countless  as  the  sands  upon  the  shore — 

Thy  children  greet  with  joy  Aurora's  beams. 

The  Himalayas  catch  the  early  rays, 

Which  brighter  glow  upon  the  lasting  snow  ; 

And  widely  spreads  on  either  hand  the  day, 
O'er  Tartar  land  and  ocean  waves  that  flow. 

Thrpugh  jungle  dense,  and  mountain's  deep  defile, 
The  shining  shafts  of  morning  penetrate, 

Adown  the  grim  old  temple's  lonely  aisle 
Where  Hindoo  Buddha  is  enshrined  in  state. 

On,  on  to  Afghanistan's  plains  and  hills, 
And  Persia,  whose  imperial  race  is  run, 

Where  Parsee  worshipers  of  fire  kneel  still, 
And  bow  before  thy  shrine,  O  morning  sun  ! 

Mount  Ararat,  with  snow-capped  summit  bold, 
Now  blushes  with  the  halo  o'er  it  spread, 

Surrounding  seas  within  their  bosom  fold 
The  genial  warmth  upon  the  waters  shed. 

The  desert  sand  cooled  by  the  nightly  air, 
Drinks  in  the  heat  as  morning  rises  high, 

The  lone  and  patient  camel  resting  there, 

Retreats  beneath  the  palm-tree's  shade  to  lie. 

The  mosque  and  minaret  are  now  revealed, 
On  Zion's  hill,  where  vandals  reared  each  wall, 

When  God  His  judgement  unto  Israel  sealed 

And  prophet-tongues  proclaimed  the  temple's  fall. 


SUNRISE  AROUND  THE  WORLD.  gr 

Still  it  advances  on  its  ceaseless  round, 

Illuming  classic  shores  of  Greece  and  Rome, 

Then  far  away  where  Caffre  hut  is  found, 

And  where  Laplanders  dwell  in  snow-built  home. 

Zambesia  and  the  valleys  of  the  Nile, 
The  Russian  Steppes  and  Grecian  Isles  aglow, 

The  same  rays  feel  that  Eastern  lands  beguile, 
Or  Alpine  heights  clad  in  eternal  show. 

The  shades  of  night  now  chased  from  valleys  broad, 
Reveals  the  rolling  Rhine  and  Fatherland  ; 

The  plains  of  France,  where  toil  brings  its  reward, 
The  slopes  of  Spain  where  vineyards  fair  expand. 

The  noble  British  group  come  next  to  view, 
The  greensward  of  old  England  now  is  seen, 

The  Scottish  hills  and  emerald  vales  anew 
Shine  out  in  morning's  clear  and  lovely  sheen. 

The  old  world,  lighted  by  the  orb  on  high, 
Still  on  it  moves  to  meet  the  wider  West, 

Where  hill-tops  tower  and  broad  savannas  lie, 
Where  God's  bright  crown  of  blessing  seems  to  rest. 

Now  high  the  waves  of  the  Atlantic  roll, 
And  kiss  the  shores  whose  wondrous  bounds  they 
keep ; 

With  light  all  radiant  from  pole  to  pole, 
A  thousand  sails  are  mirrored  in  the  deep. 

A  new  world  now  the  glory  shines  upon, 

From  South  America  to  Labrador, 
The  giant  valley  of  the  Amazon, 

And  archipelagoes  around  its  door. 

The  cities  populous  with  throngs  untold, 
The  mighty  streams  that  onward  course  their  way, 

The  broadening  fields  and  wooded  mounts  of  old, 
Embrace  the  coming  of  the  dawning  day. 


92 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  ROUGHS. 


On  marches  morn  where  fertile  mead  outspreads, 
And  dark  primeval  forests  grimly  frown  ; 

O'er  winding  way  the  Mississippi  threads, 
By  rich  plantation,  busy  mart  and  town. 

The  waters  of  the  great  north-western  lakes 
Like  broad  white  silvery  sheets  embosomed  lie, 

And  all  unruffled  as  the  morning  breaks 
Reflects  cerulean  blue  of  ambient  sky. 

The  waving  prairies  stocked  with  golden  grain, 
Shake  off  the  nightly  dew  from  waving  plume, 

And  welcome  sunlight  unto  earth  again, 
That  ripens  up  the  seed  within  the  glume. 

O'er  Andes  heights  and  Rocky  Mountains  crag, 
Where  the  lone  condor  trims  his  plumage  gray, 

And  at  its  base  where  feeds  the  harmless  stag 
There  cometh  too  Aurora's  cheering  ray. 

Adown  the  rugged  cliffs  and  pleasant  slopes, 
It  pours  its  tide  on  Chilian  cities  fair  ; 

The  golden  gate  of  the  Pacific  opes, 

And  mirrors  all  its  pearly  beauties  there. 

Again  the  march  of  day  is  o'er  the  deep, 

Where  calm  and  tranquil  tides  flow  out  and  in, 

And  soon  amid  the  beauteous  isles  that  sleep, 
The  glorious  course  of  sunrise  will  begin. 


SPRING'S  FROLIC. 

\A/E  augur  Spring  is  coming 

Snow-jewels  trembling  melt, 
Through  sunlit  ocean's  drumming 
Her  bounding  pulse  is  felt. 


SPRING'S  FROLIC. 

Afar  on  glistening  mountain, 

She  rings  her  castanets, 
Till  every  living  fountain 

Its  frost-wrought  basin  frets. 

A  burst  and  than  a  trickle, 

From  leaf  impeded  rills, 
And  gusts  intensely  fickle 

From  hollows  in  the  hills. 

The  fir  and  pine-trees'  whistle, 
Beneath  each  long  mustache, 

Though  last  year's  sapless  thistle 
May  think  the  action  rash. 

The  storm-dismissing  pibroch 
Old  chieftain  March  shall  ring, 

And  play  till  pool  and  wee  brook 
Shall  dance  the  highland  fling. 

O'er  cliffs  that  look  quite  Scottish 

All  jubilantly  break  ; 
All  turn  to  waltz  and  schottische 

For  happy  girlhoods'  sake. 

A  pause  from  whirl  of  pleasure 
To  smooth  each  flounce  and  frill, 

Then  glide  through  maze  and  measure 
Of  stately  lakes'  quadrille. 

Another  pause,  outflowing 
Some  tears  beneath  the  larch; 

Anon  all  gladsome  going 
To  join  the  river's  march; 

To  learn  the  step,  the  motion 

Of  that  triumphant  force, 
That  journeys  to  the  ocean 

With  music  in  its  course. 


93 


94 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  HOCGHS. 

From  crag-tears  pearled  or  lighted, 

To  billows  of  the  sea, 
The  earth  and  heaven  are  plighted 

For  the  Springtime's  Jubilee. 


-*- 


A  SNOW  STORM. 

T~\  ENSELY  fold  the  vapory  clouds, 

Rolling  in  white  and  misty  shrouds; 
The  sun  has  hidden  his  smiling  face, 
And  the  hills  are  screened  with  a  veil  of  lace; 
For  thick  and  fast  the  snowflakes  fly 
Down  from  the  gray  and  sombre  sky; 
And  what  we  thought  was  the  breath  of  Spring 
Has  changed  to  a  blast  of  the  old  Ice- King. 
The  merry  laugh  of  the  dashing  stream 
Is  hushed — as  the  memory  of  a  dream,  — 
Which  but  a  few  short  days  ago 
Bubbled  with  joy  in  its  overflow, 
And  the  plants  that  burst  with  life  aglow, 
Hide  'n«ath  the  mounds  of  virgin  snow; 
Valley,  meadow  and  hills— high  capped — 
Are  in  a  spotless  mantle  wrapped. 
O,  the  beautiful  falling  snow! 
Every  tree  'neath  its  weight  bends  low, 
Crested  and  plumed  in  grand  display, 
Trimmed  for  a  festive  holiday. 
Drifts  mount  up  like  the  wave-swept  sea, 
Over  the  highway,  over  the  lea, 
Down  the  ravine,  and  through  the  wold 
Spread  the  snow-sheets,  fold  on  fold. 
From  the  sunny  south-land  came  too  soon 
The  birds  that  warble  spring-tide's  tune; 
Now  they  are  flying  round  and  round, 
Lighting  on  paling,  fence  and  ground, 


HUMAN  PROGRESS. 

Seeking  shelter  in  barn  and  shed, 
Where  by  kindly  hands  they're  fed. 
And  as  we  stand  from  the  storm  aloof, 
Oft"  from  the  heavily  ladened  roof 
Falls  the  snow  like  a  white  cascade, 
Thundering  down  to  the  canyon's  shade. 
Surely,  the  storm-king  has  his  way, 
Turning  this  would-be  April  day 
To  a  gala  time  for  the  Arctic  sprites 
Ere  they  speed  their  way  to  northern  heights, 
And  the  mellow  breath  of  the  rosy  Spring 
Shall  warm  and  gladden  every  thing. 
Her  step  is  slow,  but  her  silent  wand 
Waves  in  prophecy  over  the  land, 
And  earth  by  magic  of  powers  unseen 
Will  soon  be  decked  in  a  robe  of  green. 
Hasten,  O  Queen  of  the  woodland  bowers: 
Scatter  thy  precious  wealth  of  flowers, 
Nature's  voices  shall  welcome  thee 
Tuned  to  a  gladsome  minstrelsy. 


95 


HUMAN   PROGRESS. 

\X/AKE!  pulseless  muse,  to  throbbing  life  again, 

Till  quickened  currents  course  through   every 
vein, 

And  inspiration  thrills  the  heart  and  brain, 
With  glowing  thoughts  of  fire. 
Thy  voice  seems  mute  as  winter's  icy  streams, 
Thy  wings  lie  folded  in  oblivious  dreams; 
Wake!  and  ascend  amid  the  glittering  beams, 
And  tune  thy  heavenly  lyre. 

Touch  the  deep  chords  that  thrill  the  inner  soul, 
Swell  the  grand  song  that  brings  complete  control, 


96  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Till  symphonies  in  rapturous  waves  shall  roll, 
Uplifting  hearts  to  heaven. 

Lo!  while  time's  lengthened  shadows  fall  apace, 
The  history  of  past  and  present  trace, 
Behold  how  men  of  every  clime  and  race 
For  life  divide  have  striven! 

Religion,  latent  in  the  human  heart, 

Has  of  its  life  forever  been  a  part; 

Not  fashioned  by  the  skilful  hand  of  art, 

Immortal  germ  so  fair. 

Like  precious  seed  the  husbandman  hath  sown, 

Who  patient  waits  until  the  harvest's  grown, 

So  doth  the  Father  all  His  planting  own, 

And  nurtures  it  with  care. 

The  good,  sown  broadcast  by  His  bounteous  hand, 
From  Asia's  desert  to  Columbia's  strand, 
Hath  borne  abundant  fruit  in  every  land 
Where  cultured  soil  was  found. 
The  swelling  song  of  immortality 
Hath  rolled  from  mountain,  vale  and  restless  sea, 
From  hearts  of  bondmen,  and  from  spirits  free, 
The  circling  globe  around.     « 

Old  are  the  scenes  that  first  gave  life  and  birth 
To  seed  that  peoples  now  this  glorious  earth, 
Seed  that  contained  the  growth  of  highest  worth, 
Grand  possibilities! 

In  man's  crude  state  and  undeveloped  sphere, 
Strange  thoughts  of  God,  in  stranger  forms  appear, 
The  mirrored  objects  of  His  awe  and  fear 
He  worshiped,  but  to  please. 

God  works  through  laws  for  man's  eternal  good, 
His  laws  are  love  when  rightly  understood, 
They  lead  from  idol  forms  of  stone  and  wood 
To  worship  that  is  real. 


HUMAN  PROGRESS. 


97 


Up  through  progressive  steps  in  every  age, 
Earth's  perfect  seed  produced  the  seer  and  sage, 
A  war  with  cherished  sins  of  times  to  wage 
And  teach  truth's  high  ideal. 

The  opening  mind  by  slow  degrees  is  taught, 

By  forms  objective  to  its  senses  brought, 

And  thus  expands  in  loftier  realms  of  thought, 

By  education's  rule. 

Experience  gathered  in  the  ages  vast 

Is  through  the  mold  of  human  progress  passed, 

And  nobler  types  of  manhood  are  recast 

As  teachers  in  life's  school. 

Thus  darkened  blots  of  superstition's  blight, 
The  reign  of  ignorance  and  error's  night, 
Will  by  the  glory  of  fair  reason's  light 
Pass  like  a  funeral  pall. 
And  pure  religion,  struggling  for  its  life, 
Shall  rise  above  dissension,  feud  and  strife, 
With  blessed  fruits  of  summer  harvest  rife, 
Dispensing  good  to  all. 

O  prophet  martyrs!  ye  who  lived  of  yore, 
And  gleamed  as  signals  on  time's  rocky  shore, 
While  tempest,  storm  and  surge  ye  bravely  bore, 
Your  light  shone  not  in  vain. 

The  truth  has  sped  its  way  through  currents  strong, 
By  rocks  and  quicksands  of  opposing  wrong, 
And  still  pursues  its  glorious  course  along, 
With  sure  and  steady  gain. 

Material  science  to  its  place  assigned, 

Philosophy,  the  intellective  sphere  of  mind, 

With  intuition's  inner  sense  combined 

Shall  cease  to  be  at  strife; 

These  are  to  man  the  body,  spirit,  soul, 

Which  form  in  truth,  the  grand  and  perfect  whole, — 

The  balance  force — that  keeps  in  full  control 

The  varied  powers  of  life. 


98  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

And  man  by  man  in  labor  shall  be  blessed; 

No  man  by  title-deeds  of  hate  oppressed; 

But  all  his  wrongs  by  love  shall  be  redressed 

In  true  equality, 

For  freedom  rises  in  her  sacred  might 

To  break  earth's  shackles,  and  proclaim  the  right, 

To  rend  the  veil  that  screens  the  glorious  light 

Of  heaven-born  liberty. 

Lo!  words  of  peace  are  passed  from  shore  to  shore, 
Beneath  old  ocean's  waves  and  billows'  roar; 
Hushed  be  discordant  soonds  forevermore, 
When  nation's  counsels  meet. 
And,  as  the  years  of  swift  revolving  time 
Bring  to  our  land  the  gifts  of  every  clime, 
May  all  mankind  blend  in  the  hallowed  chime 
Of  brotherhood  complete. 


THE  SLAVES  OF  POVERTY. 

(~\  Heavenly  Father,  when  the  nights  are  cold, 

And  bleak  the  dawning  of  the  new-born  day; 
The  thought  of  those  who  suffer  young  or  old. 
Stifles  the  praise  and  we  can  only  pray. 

Hunger  is  hard  to  bear  when  there  is  bread, 
And  cold  is  bitter,  when  the  coal  kings  spurn 

The  cry  of  those  whom  hoarded  wealth  hath  bled, 
And  who  must  starve  and  freeze,  their  rights  to 
earn. 

Our  hearts  are  pained,  our  eyes  flash  honest  fire, 
Our  souls  grow  sick  at  poverty's  great  needs. 

Where  are  the  authors  of  this  system  dire  ? 
Where  are  the  monster-forgers  of  such  deeds  ? 


THE  SLA  VES  OF  PO  VER  TY.  99 

Is  this  the  land  of  freedom  and  of  grace, 
Where  thousands  eat  at  Charity's  cold  board  ? 

Are  these  the  legal  masters  of  the  race, 
Who  steal  the  land  to  "  use  it  for  the  Lord?  " 

"Use  it  for  Satan,"  might  be  better  said; 

"  Use  it  to  magnify  the  greed  of  pride," 
Instead  of  grain,  the  earth  with  blood  is  red; 

The  feet  of  Cain  tramp  hard  where  Abel  died. 

Send  us  a  man  like  Lincoln  who  will  come 
To  smite  the  shacklets,  and  unbind  the  chains, 

The  slaves  are  living  yet,  but  O,  they're  dumb! 
And  youth  grows  aged  with  its  weight  of  pains. 

Here  at  the  block  of  trade  the  poor  are  sold, 
Or  hounded  where  they  walk  in  freedom's  track; 

O!  are  we  blind  that  we  can  not  behold 
The  curse  of  slavery,  be  it  white  or  black  ? 

Nay  we  can  see;  the  times  are  growing  fierce; 

The  falchions  for  the  battle  still  are  strong; 
And  there  are  ready  hands  that  still  can  pierce 

The  veil  that  screened  the  Holy  Place  so  long. 

The  slaves  to-day  will  be  as  giants  yet, 

When  trained  endurance  to  the  rope  length  runs; 
And  suffering  manhood  can  not  well  forget, 

The  fate  that  starved  its  helpless  little  ones. 

O,  is  the  life  of  pity  all  consumed  ? 

And  are  its  brain  and  muscle  worse  than  dead  ? 
Nay,  all  the  autocrats  of  wealth  are  doomed, 

And  outraged  nature  soon  will  fight  for  bread. 


100  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THE  FACTORY. 

T^vOWN  the  dingy  and  cheerless  street, 

Lo!  the  treading  of  weary  feet 
Sounds  as  if  they  were  going  to  meet 

Some  dread  and  final  doom; 
For,  from  the  distant  factory  tower, 
Rang  the  bell  at  an  early  hour, 
Calling  with  tones  of  grasping  power 

To  loom!  to  spindle  and  loom! 

So,  with  hands  that  are  tired  and  worn, 
Clad  in  garments  dirty  and  torn, 
Cherishing  ever  a  hope  forlorn, 

Buried  in  time  and  sense; 
They  plod  their  way  with  one  lone  thought, 
How  shall  our  scanty  fare  be  bought  ? 
Only  as  each  day's  work  is  wrought 

Cometh  our  recompense. 

With  faces  wan  and  furrowed  with  care, 
Follows  the  old,  the  young  and  fair, 
Up  the  narrow  and  winding  stair, 

Each  to  their  place  assigned; 
Never  a  moment  glad  and  free 
Like  birds  of  the  air,  or  fish  of  the  sea; 
But  one  dull  round  of  monotony, 

Dwarfs  both  body  and  mind. 

Broad  and  lofty  the  grim  walls  rise, 
Mocking  the  glory  of  earth  and  skies, 
Prisons  of  human  sacrifice 

Reared  by  monopoly; 
Shut  from  beauties  of  mount  and  wold, 
Slaves  to  masters  who  hoard  their  gold; 
Strong  in  the  greed  of  power  they  hold, 

Deaf  to  the  poor  man's  plea. 


THE  FACTORY. 

There  in  the  dim  light  doomed  to  toil, 
Honest  earnings  the  rich  man's  spoil; 
Well  may  the  feeling  soul  recoil 

From  flagrant  wrongs  like  these. 
Threads  from  the  myriad  spindles  twirled, 
Then  from  the  flying  shuttles  hurled, 
Tell  a  tale  to  the  thinking  world, 

And  set  hearts  ill  at  ease. 

Coarse  or  fine  be  the  fabric  made, 
Bartered,  or  sold  by  change  of  trade, 
Never  can  value  be  on  it  paid, 

For  none  its  worth  shall  know; 
Ye  who  are  wrapped  in  many  a  fold 
Of  costly  raiment,  priced  with  gold, 
Think  of  the  miseries  yet  untold 

Through  which  your  comforts  flow! 

Capital,  wielding  its  arm  of  might 
Ruleth  not  with  a  love  of  right, 
Nor  with  equity  will  it  requite 

Labor  and  industry; 
Stately  palaces  for  its  kings, 
With  scheming  plans,  and  plotting  rings, 
Unto  the  toiler's  hovel  brings 

Woe  and  penury. 

O  there  are  waifs  in  mortal  form, 
Scarcely  sheltered  from  rudest  storm, 
With  little  to  keep  the  life-blood  warm, 

The  heirs  of  poverty; 
Generations  may  come  and  go, 
Never  a  better  state  to  know, 
Only  to  suffer  while  here  below 

Where  blessings  flow  so  free. 

But  as  the  law  of  justice  stands, 
Air,  and  water,  and  fertile  lands, 
Should  be  given  into  the  hands 
Of  people  in  every  clime; 


102  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Man,  woman  and  child  should  be, 
Raised  into  glorious  liberty, 
Borne  to  a  knowledge  full  and  free 
Of  destinies  sublime. 

It  is  not  noble  work  we  spurn, 

Nor  from  the  marts  of  business  turn, 

Only  for  higher  motives  yearn 

Which  prompt  to  impulse  true; 
And  that  a  grander  love  of  right 
May  turn  life's  sorrows  into  light, 
May  make  the  home  and  factory  bright 

With  aspects  fresh  and  new. 

Then  shall  the  glad  earth,  joyous  teem 
With  fruits  of  hope's  elysian  dream; 
And  all  its  wondrous  wealth  shall  seem 

Like  gifts  from  heaven  above; 
And  the  millennial  star  of  peace 
Shall  usher  in  the  truth's  increase; 
Then  poverty  and  crime  shall  cease, 

For  man  shall  rule  by  love. 

— * 


AMERICA'S  WORKING  PEOPLE. 

IV]  OT  Sparta's  Helots,  Labor's  goaded  host, 

The  nation's  builders,  not  a  vassal  race, 
Their  boon  of  freedom  was  Columbia's  boast, 
Their  dire  oppression  is  her  dark  disgrace. 

When  will  she  rise  and  for  her  people  speak  ? 

Yea,  ring  the  welkin  like  a  ponderous  bell, 
Proclaim  a  spirit  neither  loath  nor  weak 

Her  laws  to  vindicate,  her  foes  to  quell. 

Her  laws  distorted,  fail  in  time  of  need, 
What  are  they  by  the  simple  rule  of  right  ? 

They  stand  as  walls  around  the  realms  of  greed, 
They  are  as  armor  to  the  men  of  might. 


AMERICA'S  WORKING  PEOPLE.  IO3 

A  land  of  millionaires,  a  land  of  tramps  ; 

A  house  divided  that  can  never  stand  ; 
A  flashing  gleam  from  Continental  Camps 

Reveals  a  structure  built  upon  the  sand. 

Would  Pharaoh  let  the  toiling  people  go  ? 

Concede  to  slaves  what  e'er  for  them  was  asked  ? 
Their  stern  oppressor  mitigate  their  woe 

Save  by  command,  that  they  might  more  be  tasked  ? 

Ah  well  !  we  read  his  folly  and  his  fate  ; 

That  folly  looming  in  the  far  away 
Must  not  attract  from  hardness  just  as  great, 

From  mad  perversity  that  reigns  to-day. 

How  blind  we  are  to  unaccomplished  work  ! 

How  names  and  claims  suffice  for  service  true  ! 
What  giant  wrongs  all  unmolested  lurk 

Beneath  the  flaunted  good  that  statesmen  do. 

They  signed  off  slavery  and  our  hopes  were  high, 
While  Truth  bent  low,   these  humbling  words  to 
carve  : 

"It  is  not  freedom  !  't  is  a  burnished  lie  ! 
Emancipation  —  liberty  to  starve  ! 

"A  liberation  that  absolves  the  care 
That  selfish  hands  around  their  chattels  threw  ; 

A  legacy  of  tortures  hard  to  bear, 
A  broader  tyranny  than  bondage  knew." 

This  verdict  graven  round  the  altar  stone 
Whereon  the  nation's  sacrifice  was  laid; 

That  great  burnt  offering  which  could  not  atone 
For  half  the  wrongs  that  slavery  had  made. 

And  years  passed  on,  dark  years  of  pain  and  blight, 
While  daring  traitors  wrought  despair  and  woe, 

Yet,  hear  they  not  upon  the  mountain's  height, 
A  voice  proclaiming  "Let  my  people  go." 

Yea,  let  them  go  from  poverty  and  fraud 
That  have  been  meted  out  with  burning  scorn  ; 


IO4  MOUNT  LEBA.\O.\  CELAR  BOUGHS. 

Let  them  have  place  to  share  the  gifts  of  God, 
For  to  His  bounty  all  are  equal  born. 

Who  owns  the  earth,  the  air,  the  sea  ? 

They  are  the  Father's,  to  His  children  willed  ; 
And  never,  never  can  the  land  be  free 

Till  His  behests  are  honestly  fulfilled. 

Then  why  should  brothers  fashion  shackles  strong, 
Or  rob  the  weak  with  fierce  barbaric  force  ? 

Arouse,  Columbia  !  overthrow  the  wrong 
E'er  retribution  takes  its  vengeful  course. 

You  were  oblivious  to  one  cruel  sin  — 

Monopoly  and  slavery  are  one  — 
Turn  then,  to  justice,  life  anew  begin, 

And  reconstruct  till  servitude  is  done. 

Are  not  the  toilers  many,  and  the  wrath 
Of  mad  despair  is  like  a  wild  cyclone 

That  trails  the  cloud-fire  o'er  its  devious  path, 
And  hurls  the  avalanche  as  crag-dropped  stone. 

These  wealth-producers  starved  and  homeless  are, 
Though  toil's  profusion  glorifies  the  land  ; 

Lest  they  should  come  to  trust  the  battle  star 
And  hail  destruction,  lend  a  saving  hand. 

O  give  them  place  upon  the  broad  domain, 
And  help  them  to  secure  abiding  home, 

Then  crowded  industries  no  life  will  strain, 
And  weary  tramps  no  more  need  hopeless  roam. 

Athwart  bright  cities,  towns  and  teeming  fields 
Will  be  red  sunrise,  not  red  scenes  of  blood. 

For  all  that  freedom  promises  and  yields 

Will  bless  the  nation  with  undreamed  of  good. 

Their  plotting  monarchies — the  curse  of  time — 
Must  helpless  sink  into  their  waiting  graves, 

When  God's  Republic  rises  up  sublime 
And  fells  the  system  that  produces  slaves  ! 


THE  OHIO   TEMPERANCE  CRUSADE.  IOij 


THE  OHIO  TEMPERANCE  CRUSADE. 

T  T  is  a  glorious  work  God  has  begun  ; 

Hold  sacred  in  your  hearts  its  trust  of  power, 
And  when  some  little  victory  you  have  won 

Let  that  but  nerve  you  for  the  adverse  hour. 
O,  put  your  faith  in  agencies  divine 

That  can  inspire  beyond  all  human  strength  ; 
And  "greater  works"  than  those  of  old,  will  shine 

Along  your  pathway's  steep  and  rugged  length. 
'Tis  said  a  fearful  river  flows  through  hell, 

But  can  it  match  the  alcoholic  tide, 
With  rock,  and  whirlpool,  and  demoniac  spell 

That  scatter  desolation  far  and  wide? 
We  may  conjecture  that  they  are  but  one, 

Connected  by  a  dismal  open  flume, 
Where  raging  rapids  unimpeded  run 

To  dash  their  victims  through  that  gate  of  doom. 
And  as  we  trace  the  world's  broad  winding  life, 

Our  minds  no  darker,  wilder  flood  can  see  ; 
Its  miry  banks  with  hideous  reptiles  rife 

Are  shaded  only  by  the  gallows  tree. 
It  is  no  myth  ;  we  know  its  burning  streams 

That  carry  blight  where'er  therr  currents  flow  ; 
That  bear  away  the  heart's  ennobling  dreams, 

And  sink  the  soul  in  passions  base  and  low. 
The  waving  harvests  that  the  Father  willed 

From  year  to  year  to  show  his  mindful  love, 
Are  first  usurped,  then  wastefully  distilled 

To  make  his  blessing  but  an  evil  prove. 
To  bring  to  earth  the  waves  of  liquid  flame 

Whose  touch  is  madness,  and  whose  force  is  death; 
To  exile  man  from  that  parental  claim 

That  fills  the  soul  with  inspiration's  breath. 
If  but  the  horse-hoof  pools  along  the  road 

Miasma  to  the  sunny  air  exhale, 
Will  not  the  river  and  its  marshes  broad 

With  deadly  venom  laden  every  gale  ? 


106  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

O  woman,  there  is  work  that  must  be  done, 

You  have  but  entered  on  its  weighty  care  ; 
Its  darkest  sands  the  hour  of  sin  hath  run, 

The  morning  dawns  with  incense  of  sweet  prayer. 
The  day  shall  brighten  on  your  faithful  toil ; 

The  will  of  God  within  your  hearts  revealed 
Will  give  to  them  the  balsam  and  the  oil 

By. which  the  sad  and  wounded  shall  be  healed. 
God  pleads  through  you,  then  let  him  freely  speak, 

"Grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit,"  give  free  course, 
And  you  no  more  shall  timid  feel,  nor  weak  ; 

He  has  prepared  for  you  a  strong  resource. 
For  never  in  the  history  of  Reform 

Has  man  attained  a  more  illustrious  plane 
He  nobly  bears  you  through  the  conflict  warm, 

His  heart  and  hand  your  energies  sustain. 
O  we  the  sisterhood  who  toil  apart 

To  bring  redemption  to  the  earth  below, 
Know  how  to  prize  each  brave  and  manly  heart 

That  gives  its  might  to  evil's  overthrow. 
Life  is  so  mingled  on  its  ever}'  side, 

United  efforts  must  its  good  achieve  ; 
The  father  may  all  liberally  provide 

Yet  must  the  mother  tenderly  relieve. 
Go  forth  as  angels  on»a  mission  sent, 

Clothed  with  the  snowy  robes  of  fervent  prayer, 
That  all  who  see  you  may  to  God  repent, 

And  seek  His  law — His  character  to  bear. 
Your  own  true  purpose,  like  electric  wire 

Will  flash  conviction  through  the  hardened  heart ; 
Your  supplication  like  the  altar's  fire 

Will  holy  light  to  all  around  impart. 
May  angel  choirs  assist  you  when  you  sing, 

And  may  the  Comforter  your  words  impress, 
Until  th«  desert  in  its  blossoming, 

Shall  bring  your  hearts  the  blessing  of  success. 


THE  NINETEENTH  CENTURY. 


107 


THE  NINETEENTH  CENTURY. 

C  HE  stood  upon  the  mountain's  height, 

The  morn  of  freedom  round  her  shone  ; 
Beneath  her  were  the  years  of  night, 

With  blood-stained  hands  and  eyes  of  stone. 
They  were  not  her  ancestral  train, 

Her  lofty  aims  they  never  knew  ; 
She  came  to  bid  the  people  reign, 

To  form  a  system  grand  and  new. 
She  was  a  stranger  sent  of  God 

Through  whom  all  nations  should  be  blest ; 
She  laid  foundations  strong  and  broad 

Provided  for  the  earth's  oppressed. 
Priests,  kings  and  conquerors  were  they, 

The  Church  and  State  their  throne  had  been  ; 
By  law  divine  they  claimed  their  sway 

And  spurned  the  rights  of  toiling  men. 
The  heritage  that  God  reserved 

To  be  the  refuge  of  the  race, 
By  daring  courage  she  preserved 

Nor  gave  to  tyranny  a  place. 
Where  e'er  his  treacherous  armies  moved, 
By  sure  defeat  he  was  repaid  ; 

Triumphant  still  the  century  proved. 
But  in  the  beauty  of  her  strength 

She  turned  to  kinship  with  those  years, 
Along  whose  savage  history's  length 

The  earth  was  drenched  with  blood  and  tears. 
She  turned  her  heart  from  patriot's  dream, 

She  quenched  the  glory  with  her  born, 
She  kneels  where  politicians  scheme, 

And  where  her  sunrise  flag  is  torn. 
Beneath  the  golden-handled  scourge 

Behold  her  at  Britannia's  feet ; 
O,  will  the  blood  of  heroes  surge — 

She  for  a  loan  doth  there  entreat. 


108  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

She  asks  for  bondage.     Through  her  greed 

She  pawns  her  honor  for  a  lie  ; 
She  bargains  for  the  serpent's  seed, 

She  flaunts  her  dotage.     Let  her  die, 
And  dig  for  her  an  ample  grave 

Wherein  her  sin  and  shame  may  hide, 
And  on  its  warning-stone  engrave, 

"  Through  her  the  hope  of  nations  died" 
But  O,  ye  valiant,  still  be  true, 

And  freedom's  cause  will  yet  be  won  ; 
From  failure,  wisdom  springs  anew 

To  teach  the  work  that  should  be  done. 
Cast  up  the  highway  and  prepare, 

Prepare  the  people  to  ascend 
To  learn  in  brotherhood  to  share 

And  see  in  God  an  equal  friend. 
The  murderous  tactics  of  the  beast. 

The  demon  strategies  of  war, 
Will  they  have  need  to  be  increased 

When  freedom  stands  beneath  her  star  ? 
O  ye,  whose  fathers  left  the  hearth 

To  meet  the  flame  of  battle  smoke; 
And  ye  brave  exiles  of  the  earth 

Who  wrested  off  the  tyrant's  yoke  ; 
And  ye  who  on  the  hills  of  thought 

Still  hear  the  angels'  midnight  strain, 
Ye  are  empowered  to  bring  to  naught 

The  systems  of  perpetual  pain. 
Let  not  corruption  touch  the  plan 

Hid  in  the  song  of  far  away  ; 
Teach  justice  first,  good  will  to  man, 

Then  hail  the  grandest  Century  ! 


NEW  LIFE. 


NEW  LIFE. 

DENEATH  the  long  despotic  reign 

Of  Winter's  icy  hand, 
How  manifold  the  forms  of  life 

That  sleep  within  the  land, 
His  frigid  fingers  touch  the  trees, 

The  grass,  and  flowers  bright, 
His  chilling  breath  the  waters  close 

In  slumbers  of  the  night. 

But  ever  on  the  earth  revolves 

Around  the  orb  of  light, 
And  each  gyration  nearer  brings 

The  season  of  delight ; 
When,  'neath  the  genial  quickening  rays 

That  fall  to  bless  the  land, 
The  germs  of  life  in  seed  and  bud 

In  loveliness  expand. 

And  sparkling  waters  burst  the  crust 

That  hushed  their  murmurous  flow, 
The  tender  grasses  pierce  the  sod 

To  greet  the  sunbeam's  glow. 
In  rainbow  tints  and  perfume  rare 

Spring  forth  the  tender  flowers, 
By  force  unseen  their  beauties  .wrought 

From  sunlight,  dews  and  showers. 

When  selfishness  and  sin  possess 

Dominion  in  the  heart, 
They  sternly  hold  a  frigid  power 

That  chills  the  spirit  part. 
But  if  we  turn  to  seek  the  light 

That  cometh  from  above, 
We'll  feel  the  warmth  of  angel  life 

In  sunny  beams  of  love. 


109 


HO  MOUNT   LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

They  will  the  icy  coverings  melt 

Of  envy,  hate  and  fear, 
And  joyously  will  spring's  bright  morn 

Within  the  soul  appear. 
The  germs  divine  will  then  unfold, 

Life's  fountain  be  unsealed, 
And  latent  energies  awake 

That  long  have  been  concealed. 

Affection  pure,  like  early  flowers        » 

From  wintry  slumbers  start, 
'Mid  verdancy  of  good  desires 

Upspringing  in  the  heart. 
We  see  that  this  exterior  sphere 

Is  clothing  for  the  soul, 
Which  is  the  vitalizing  force 

That  animates  the  whole. 

The  glorious  sun  that  giveth  life 

To  all  material  things, 
That  from  a  dark  chaotic  state 

Such  wondrous  beauty  brings, 
Is  but  an  emblem  of  the  Truth 

And  potency  of  Love, 
The  element  in  whrch  all  souls 

Have  being,  live  and  move. 


TO  THE  MUSIC  MAKER. 

LJ  AIL  !  Spring,  thou  rare  composer 

Of  symphonies  and  songs, 
Though  winter — croaking  proser — 
His  dismal  stay  prolongs. 

Hie  to  the  tablet  glistening 

On  mount  and  plain  afar, 
Haste  to  the  brooklet  listening 

For  ice-gates  to  unbar. 


TO   THE  M  L  'SIC  MA  KER. 

Write  on  the  blue  lines  lying 

Where  road-side  streams  are  low, 

And  on  brown  furrows  trying 
To  rise  above  the  snow. 

Note  music's  magic  lesson 
With  flowers  of  prism  hue, 

And  put  a  dulcet  stress  on 
The  wee  grace  notes  of  dew. 

The  colt's-foot  stars  will  twinkle 

In  Nature's  auburn  hair, 
And  not  a  frown  or  wrinkle 

Betray  her  months  of  care. 

The  joyous  birds  that  press  on 
Through  emerald-tinted  haze, 

Will  learn  that  music  lesson 
And  render  it  in  praise. 

^Eolian  chords  will  wake  in 
Gray  grotto  and  green  dell, 

Wild  cataracts  will  break  in 
With  base  of  richest  swell. 

Grove  orchestra  and  chorus 
The  forest's  stately  choir, 

Light  zephyrs  chanting  o'er  us 
And  waves  with  golden  lyre, 

Will  claim  as  universal 
Thy  heart's  dictated  score, 

And  give  it  grand  rehearsal 
From  mountain  top  to  shore. 

The  reed  will  lift  his  baton 

To  beat  the  perfect  time, 
Lest  mocking  echoes  "  Flat  on  " 

The  rhythm  and  the  rhyme. 


.V(T.V7  LEBAXOX  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  violin  of  rain-drops 

Let  down  from  laughing  cloud, 

The  interludes  and  main-stops 
With  mellow  strains  will  crowd. 

What  music  so  surprising 
As  April's  sunshine  shower, 

Whose  bow  of  promise  rising 
Predicts  but  half  an  hour. 

When  silence  in  glad  heaven 
For  that  short  space  had  birth, 

Its  harmonies  were  given 
As  ecstacies  to  earth. 

Then  touch,  beloved  musician, 
Heart,  soul  and  rapturous  ear, 

Thrill  every  intuition 
Thou  minstrel  of  the  year. 


THE  WOOD  THRUSH. 

\A7HEN  the  glad  summer  dons  her  robes  of  glory, 

Of  green  and  gold, 
And  her  interpreters  reveal  the  story 
By  Jesus  told, 

The  story  of  the  stately  scarlet  lilies, 

That  do  not  spin, 
Nor  toil,  like  our  own  daffodilies 

That  praise  would  win. 

When  from  the  sun-bathed  fields  of  blooming  clover 

The  bee  returns 
To  store  with  honey  full  and  running  over 

Its  waxen  urns, 


THE  WOOD   THRUSH.  II3 

Then  from  your  dwelling's  cool  and  leafy  portal, 

Your  plaintive  lay 
Comes  to  our  hearts  with  music  more  than  mortal, 

And  cheers  our  way. 

I  have  your  secret  yet,  I  have  not  told  it, 

Nor  will  I  tell, 
To  those  who  love,  your  own  voice  will  unfold  it 

I  know  full  well. 

O!  Thrush,  my  bird  of  birds,  my  sweet-voiced  psalmist, 

The  tears  will  start, 
Or  smiles  will  come  when  your  soft  cadence  calmest 

My  troubled  heart. 

I  never  feel  alone  when  you  are  near  me, 

O,  could  you  know 
The  kindness  of  my  heart,  you  would  not  fear  me 

And  shun  me  so. 

Ah,  man  has  been  your  enemy  to  plunder 

Your  precious  life, 
Nor  seems  to  hear  the  notes  that  break  in  wonder 

Upon  earth's  strife. 

I  will  not  blame  you  for  your  trembling  shyness, 

But  wait  and  trust, 
That  all  may  reach  the  sympathy,  the  highness 

Of  being  just. 

Then  throstle  dear,  keep  one  enchanting  chorus 

For  souls  like  mine, 
And  from  your  church's  topmost  spire  send  o'er  us 

A  song  divine. 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THE  WATERS. 

T   KNOW  the  streams  that  gush  afar 

And  foam  o'er  mountain's  rocky  side, 
I  know  how  deep  the  strand-waves  are 

In  ebbing  or  incoming  tide. 
Full  oft  with  hand  upon  my  heart 

I've  watched  the  currents  gliding  by, 
Whose  ample  floods  made  joyous  start, 

But  left  their  road-beds  hard  and  dry. 
I  know  sweet  dreams  of  crystal  sea 

Whose  ripples  bear  the  undertone, 
Whose  billows  chant  in  every  key 

Life's  anthem  as  in  Heaven  known. 
Yet,  of  the  tears  that  sharply  knock 

Against  the  eyelids  closed  in  pain, 
And  crowding,  break  the  fragile  lock 

That  sorrow  fastens  all  in  vain, 
Divine  I  not,  I  can  not  tell 

The  time  for  inward  rains  to  fall, 
For  founts  or  streams  of  heart  to  swell 

Across  affection's  throbbing  wall. 
What  laws  of  correspondence  taught 

Through  types  translucent,  symbols  clear, 
Sweet  miracles  of  life  are  wrought 

Within  the  glistening  of  a  tear. 
Athwart  the  field  like  velvet  shorn 

A  diamond  scarf  all  glittering  lies, 
Thence  to  the  bosom  of  the  morn 

I  see  it  on  the  sunbeams  rise. 
God's  blue  enameled  casket  holds 

AH  nature's  treasures,  none  are  lost, 
From  rubies  that  the  rose  enfolds 

To  pearl  spray  by  the  ocean  tossed. 
If  such  wee  atoms  hath  His  care 

Eternal  as  the  ages  roll, 
Does  He  not  hear  the  surging  prayer 

And  feel  the  deluge  of  the  soul  ? 


TO  MY  LITTLE  SISTEK.  j ; 

From  memory's  stubble  wet  with  dew 

We  count  the  harvest  stored  above, 
Where  heart-wrung  drops  that  midnight  knew 

Are  fountains  of  ascended  love. 
Oft  when  we  faint  with  desert  thirst, 

Or  fever  pains  in  blinding  strife, 
Deep  wells  unlocked  for  bubbling,  burst 

With  waters  of  eternal  life. 


TO  MY  LITTLE  SISTER. 

T  LOOK  and  see  you  standing  by  a  stream, 

A  thoughtful,  happy,  trusting  little  girl  ; 

Half  wrapped  in  mystery,  half  wrapped  in  dream, 

With  wonder,  watching  every  wavelet's  whirl. 

With  nimble  feet  I  see  you  press  the  grass, 
Or  pluck  with  dimpled  hands  the  violets  blue, 

Then  listening  to  the  song-birds  as  they  pass, 
Repeat  again  the  song  they  sang  to  you. 

Through  deep,  dark  forest,  and  through  mossy  glade, 
Where  sun  and  shadow  loiter  hand  in  hand, 

Where  water-birds  in  gentle  freedom  wade, 
Again,  I  see  your  liitle  figure  stand. 

What  thought  was  that  that  bowed  your  sunny  head  ? 

That  made  you  pause  and  rest  beside  the  stone  ? 
Was  it  a  sudden  sense  of  fear  or  dread 

At  being  left  beside  the  stream  alone  ? 

Ah,  'twas  the  music  of  an  angel  voice, 

Calling  to  you  to  cross  the  river  wide  ; 
I  see  you  meditate  as  if  in  choice, 

And  linger  fondly  by  the  rolling  tide. 


H6  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

And  time  passed  on,  through  weeks  and  months  and 
years, 

Till  youth  matured  where  childhood  smiled  before  ; 
Again  the  angel  called,  and  bathed  in  tears 

Pointed  the  pathway  to  the  farther  shore  : 

The  pathway  o'er  the  blessed  bridge  of  prayer, 
That  crosses  where  the  stream  is  rough  and  swift ; 

And  gave  to  you  a  promise  of  God's  care, 
And  confidence  to  rest  upon  his  gift. 

In  meek  submission  to  the  precious  call, 

How  glowed  your  soul  with  fervent  love  and  trust, 

How  firm  your  covenant  to  give  up  all, 
And  bow  your  haughty  nature  to  the  dust. 

The  vision  deepens  :  Once  again  you  stand 
Where  wave  on  wave  before  your  spirit  rolls  ; 

The  angel  comes  and  takes  you  by  the  hand, 

And  leads  you  to  the  stream  that  cleanseth  souls. 

"Not  yet,  O  nay,  not  yet,"  I  hear  you  say, 
"Spare  me  the  washing,  O  I  fear  the  tide  !" 

The  angel  pleads,  "  There  is  no  other  way 
By  which  the  spirit  may  be  purified." 

Down  'neath  the  limpid  waves  I  see  you  go, 
You,  and  the  angel  that  repentance  brings, 

And  from  the  waters  sparkling  overflow, 
Comes  the  sweet  echo  of  the  song  she  sings. 

And  rising  from  the  billows,  pure  and  white, 
You  felt  new  courage  for  the  work  of  life, 

New  zeal  to  enter  in  the  Christian  fight, 
Against  the  sins  that  fill  the  earth  with  strife. 

O,  may  you  ever  know1  where  safety  lies, 

Nor  turn  to  Marah's  dark  and  bitter  streams, 

But  seek  the  cooling  springs  that  have  their  rise 
Where    rocks    are    smitten,    and    where    sunlight 
gleams. 


U'o.\nERMENT. 


117 


And  when  you  stand  beside  Death's  peaceful  sea, 
Watching  the  coming  of  the  tide  that  swells, 

May  life's  last  music  to  your  memory  be, 
Like  wave-tones  in  the  ocean's  pearly  shells. 


-*- 


WONDERMENT. 

AA7HO  hath  not  talked  with  Nature  face  to  face  ? 

Who  hath  not  felt  her  hand  upon  their  brow? 
If  such  there  be,  their  thoughts  I  will  not  trace, 
I  can  but  speak  with  kindred  spirits  now. 

In  this  calm,  quiet  hour  the  heart  must  thrill 
With  all  the  overflowings  of  pure  thought, 

And  one  must  feel  a  peaceful  influence,  still 
Wafted  on  the  air  with  incense  fraught. 

So  now  true  souls,  we'll  sit  an  hour,  and  dream 
Of  life's  rare  beauty  lingering  all  around; 

The  splash  of  water  from  the  mountain  stream, 
The  snow  of  flowers  that  whitens  all  the  ground. 

The  plaintive  music  of  the  meadow  thrush, 
The  stirring  of  the  wind  among  the  trees, 

The  rosy  glow  of  evening,  and  the  brush 
Of  all  the  busy  honey-gathering  bees. 

These   have   we   watched   till   darkness  dimmed  the 
scene; 

But  O  my  friends,  have  we  but  watched  in  vain  ? 
Can  we  not  lift  the  veil  that  hangs  between 

The  World  of  Cause,  and  this  our  fair  domain  ? 

We  love  the  outward  scenes,  yet  thrill  to  know 
The  underlying  secrets  of  these  things, 

The  mystic  power  that  makes  the  flowers  grow, 
That  balances  the  birds  on  outspread  wings. 


1 18  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

That  keeps  the  purposes  of  wind  and  tide; 

That  lights  the  starry  lamps  that  nightly  burn; 
That  holds  within  its  keeping  vast  and  wide 

The  volumes  to  whose  glowing  leaves  we  turn; 

But  turn  in  vain,  for  we  can  not  discern 

The  tilings  revealed  to  Deity  alone, 
And  though  with  homesick  hearts  we  hope  and  yearn, 

We  stand  all  ignorant  of  star  or  stone. 

For  science  barely  leads  us  to  the  brink, 
To  the  great  ocean  of  unbounded  laws, 

And  standing  there  she  bids  us  pause  and  think 
What  power  created  all,  what  unknown  cause 

Brought  into  being  all  that  claims  our  sense, 
All  that  our  minds  aspire  to  and  adore; 

Then  leaves  us  in  the  hands  of  Providence 

With  this  trite  saying:  "  We  can  know  no  more." 

We  cannot  tell  from  whence  man  drew  his  breath, 
Nor  where  obtained  thought's  jeweled  diadem; 

But  this  we  know,  he  stands  'twi.xt  life  and  death, 
Despising  both,  yet  much  desiring  them. 

A  child  of  fancy,  yet  a  friend  to  truth; 

A  reed  that  every  passing  wind  may  sway; 
A  few  mistakes  must  mark  his  transient  youth, 

A  little  wisdom  crown  his  closing  day. 

We  cannot  see  one  hour  beyond,  and  yet 

Our  lives  are  hampered  with  their  unkept  vows; 

Like  cloistered  birds  we  struggle  and  we  fret, 
And  ask  why  God  this  ignorance  allows. 

And  still  no  answer  comes,  no  confidence 
To  search  yet  deeper  for  the  hidden  thing, 

Which  still  eludes  our  ever  grasping  sense, 
Or  peeps  in  shyly  like  the  birds  in  spring. 


WONDERMEN  T. 

We  are  convinced  that  nothing  is  complete; 

That  which  we  know  with  nothing  can  agree; 
And  though  our  lives  with  purpose  are  replete 

We  cannot  gain  a  perfect  mastery. 

But  if  our  knowledge  seems  but  nothingness; 

All  vain  the  thought  that  prompts  us  to  adore, 
Still  for  the  revelation  we  transgress, 

Where  muffled  footsteps  never  trod  before. 

For  lack  of  sight  we  strain  our  eyes  to  see, 
Yet  shake  with  fear  still  'dreading  to  behold 

The  culmination  of  the  mystery 

Which  wise  or  foolish  ones  have  never  told. 

We  dare  not  speak,  for  language  fails  to  reach 
The  full  expression  of  each  trembling  thought, 

And  weighted  with  the  cumbrance  of  speech, 
It  drops  from  fancy  ere  its  form  is  caught. 

And  so  we  live,  and  ponder  and  explore, 

Yet  fail  where  we  had  hoped  new  life  to  draw; 

Still  deaf  to  hear  the  wondrous  mystic  lore; 
Blind  to  discover  God's  divining  law. 

Death  comes  and  finds  us  in  the  primer  class, 
Reading  the  simple  type  with  untrained  lips; 

Measures  our  sands  of  being  in  his  glass; 
And  leads  us  where  the  waiting  boatman  dips 

The  heavy  oar  that  speeds  our  freighted  boat 
Across  the  untried  waters  to  the  goal, 

Where  all  the  spirit  force  of  man  must  float; 
The  vast  unknown  dominion  of  the  soul. 


119 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  ROUGHS. 


ACROSTIC. 

"They  shall  spring  up  among  the  grass  as  willows  by  the  water 
courses." 

THESE  lovely  emblems  of  souls  true  and  living, 
Hailing  the  breath  of  the  glad  sunny  spring, 
Eagerly  ope  the  first  buds  of  the  banquet, 
Yellow  tipped  censers  of  fragrance  to  swing. 
Sweetly  they  thrive  where  the  gentle  stream  murmurs, 
Humbly  they  bend  where  the  lily-cups  drink, 
And  while  the  margin  of  lakelet  adorning 
Lo!  their  tall  shadows  reflect  from  the  brink. 
Light  arrows  darting  from  Sol's  golden  quiver 
Speed  through  the  finger-leaved  boughs  as  they  sway, 
Poising  like  diamond  points  over  the  waters, 
Rippling  the  song  of  the  beautiful  May. 
In  the  lone  dell  where  the  violets  cluster, 
Near  the  thick  copse  where  the  nightingales  sing, 
Grow  the  sweet  willow  trees,  fresh  as  the  morning 

breeze 

Up  'mong  the  grasses  in  beauty  they  spring. 
Peerless  amid  the  low  shrubs  of  the  woodland, 
All  in  their  emerald  glory  arrayed, 
Mingling  their  manifold  masses  of  foliage 
Ornate  in  varying  color  and  shade. 
Nobly  the  oak  on  the  hill-top  may  tower, 
Grandly  the  elm  its  long  branches  may  trail, 
These  in  their  majesty  unlike  the  willow  tree, 
Heed  not  the  bluebells  that  grow  in  the  vale. 
Eventide  vapors  ascending  from  everglade, 
Gently  bedew  every  leaflet  and  flower, 
Rising  in  silver  mist  up  through  the  wooded  glen, 
All  the  trees  bathe  in  the  soft  dewy  shower. 
Stout  limbs  may  break  when  the  wild  tempest  rages, 
Slender  boughs  bend  to  the  fierce  winds  that  blow, 
And  the  green  willows  so  yielding  and  pliant 
Strike  their  roots  deep  in  the  soil  where  they  grow. 


WHA  T  IS  TRUE  LIFE,  I; 

Waving  and  free  as  when  in  the  long  ago, 

Indian  maidens  with  light  fingers  wove 

Lithe  branches  clipped  from  the  beautiful  bower, 

Low  by  the  brook  where  the  willows  still  grow. 

Over  the  reedy  marsh  crowning  the  daisy  beds 

Wild  birds  on  each  flexile  stem  gaily  toss, 

Singing  their  matins  sweet,  morning  and  eve  to  greet, 

Building  their  nest  of  the  lichen  and  moss. 

Youth  of  the  year,  what  thy  glory  surpasses? 

Thy  freshness  and  odors  infilling  all  space, 

Heart  of  creation  pulsates  with  life  forces, 

Evolving  in  forms  of  fair  beauty  and  grace. 

Who  could  choose  better  than  did  the  good  prophet 

A  symbol  of  humble  contentment  and  peace? 

' '  They  shall  grow  up  'mong  the  grass  as  the  willow' ' 

Expanding  in  strength  of  a  blessed  increase. 

Right  by  the  side  of  the  still  flowing  waters 

Children  of  Israel  their  virtues  shall  twine, 

Open  to  heavenly  sunshine  and  shower, 

Under  the  care  of  a  Father  divine. 

Richly  He  decks  all  the  fields  and  the  valleys, 

Sheds  His  choice  blessing  o'er  mountain  and  plain, 

E'en  so  shall  the  soul  robed  in  spiritual  gladness 

Shine  ever  brightly  when  earth's  glories  wane. 


WHAT  IS  TRUE  LIFE? 

'"TO  eat,  to  drink  and  sleep,  to  tread  the  mill 
Of  habit  day  by  day  with  lack  of  thought 
We  know  is  not  true  life,  nor  is  it  wrought 
By  the  mere  lapse  of  years,  by  selfish  will, 
Nor  does  the  strife  for  gain  life's  ends  fulfill. 
When  earnestly  faith's  battles  all  are  fought, 
When,  in  our  strife  another's  good  is  sought 
Then  does  sweet  blessing  on  the  soul  distill. 


I22  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  merry  laugh  that  vibrates  through  the  heart  ; 

The  hopeful  prayer  that  brings  the  future  near, 
The  struggle,  yea  the  tender  tears  that  start  ; 

The  cares  that  end  in  trust,  the  songs  that  cheer, 
These  bring  to  life  its  true  diviner  part, 

If  thus  we  live,  death  brings  no  gloom  or  fear. 


TO-DAY. 

""THERE'S  a  cloud  on  the  restless  earth  to-day, 

It  is  a  cloud  of  war, 
For  ages  it  has  dimmed  the  ray 
Of  sun,  and  moon  and  star. 

There's  a  weight  on  our  weary  earth  to-day, 

It  is  the  weight  of  power  ; 
Oppression  hath  a  heavy  sway, 

And  slaves  beneath  it  cower. 

There's  smoke  on  our  darkened  earth  to-day, 

From  the  bottomless  pit  of  lust, 
Where  human  loves  and  hopes  decay 

And  human  treasures  rust. 

r 

There's  a  fog  on  our  miry  earth  to-day, 

From  her  unchristian  fen, 
Where  fraud  keeps  equity  at  bay 

And  Christ  is  bound  by  men. 

There's  frost  on  the  hardened  earth  to-day, 

It  is  the  frost  of  pride, 
The  heart  can  not  beneath  it  pray 

Nor  seek  the  vital  tide. 

There's  blight  on  our  fruitless  earth  to-day, 

It  is  the  blight  of  sin, 
The  buds  of  promise  fade  away 

And  die  as  they  begin. 


WAR  AND  PEACE. 

There  are  mingled  sounds  on  earth  to-day, 

Of  science  and  reform, 
Like  waves  that  fret  their  rocky  way 

They  herald  in  the  storm. 

Alone  is  Zion  bright  to-day, 

She  gleams  amid  the  gloom, 
Her  life  that  drank  each  holy  ray 

Has  brought  the  truth  to  bloom. 

She  sees  amid  the  elements 

That  curse  the  earth  to-day, 
That  angels  of  repentance  soon 

With  help  must  make  their  way. 

And  cries,  "O  earth,  new  courage  take, 

Let  not  thy  voice  be  dumb  ; 
Though  heavy  lowering  shadows  crowd 

Before  thy  hope  shall  come." 


123 


WAR  AND  PEACE. 

T  LOOKED  across  the  desert  wastes  of  life, 

The  world's  great  field  of  carnage,  blood  and  strife, 
And  thought  of  all  the  treasure  turned  to  dross, 
The  dire  affliction  brought  through  human  loss, 
The  homes  made  desolate,  the  broken  heart, 
The  bitter  woe  where  ties  were  rent  apart, 
The  mental  wealth  that  all  the  world  should  bless, 
Spent  on  the  worst  of  crime  and  wickedness  ; 
The  springs  of  love  turned  back  unto  their  source, 
And  streams  of  hate  pursuing  in  their  course. 
O  tide  of  life,  how  dark  thy  currents  flow, 
Black  as  the  stygian  waves  that  roll  below, 
When  nobler  impulse  yields  her  sweet  control, 
And  war's  stern  passion  overcomes  the  soul. 
Fair  history's  page  through  all  the  years  of  time, 
Was  stained  with  darkened  deeds  of  heinous  crime, 


124 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


The  lusts  of  men  engendered  low  desire 

And  filled  their  heart's  with  war's  insatiate  fire  ; 

Thus  love  of  power  in  vain  ambition's  van, 

Ne'er  heeds  the  sacred  rights  of  fellowman  ; 

But  in  her  conquest  overrules  all  right, 

By  force  of  strength,  supremacy  of  might ; 

Thus  kingdoms  rise  and  hold  the  reins  of  power, 

Thus  empires  glory  but  for  one  short  hour, 

Their  prestige  gone,  they  crumble  into  dust, 

Because  not  based  on  laws  exact  and  just. 

O  heroes  vain  !  the  laurels  thatjj^  wear, 

The  boasted  name  and  honors  that  ye  bear, 

Came  through  the  orphans'  tears,  the  widows'  pain, 

The  moans  and  cries  of  those  in  battle  slain. 

The  time  will  come  when  only  he  who  stands 

With  courage  fortified,  and  outstretched  hands 

To  fight  all  giant  wrongs,  and  meet  man's  needs 

With  honest  words  and  love's  heroic  deeds, 

Will  be  the  hero  of  immortal  fame, 

And  in  the  nation's  heart  hold  dear  his  name. 

The  right!  the  right!  I  see  it  grandly  rise 

Triumphant  o'er  the  world's  great  sacrifice  ; 

Sustained  by  justice,  linked  to  truth's  great  cause, 

It  teaches  men  to  frame  diviner  laws 

Than  those  which  now  appeal  to  instincts  base, 

The  laws  that  elevate  and  bless  the  race  ; 

And  peace  angelic  spreads  her  snowy  wings, 

Glad  tidings  to  this  blighted  earth  she  brings, 

Proclaiming  in  her  heaven-commissioned  flight, 

"Forever  fled  is  error's  ebon  night." 

The  day  has  dawned  whose  brightness  has  no  bound, 

Whose  golden  circle  shall  the  earth  surround  ; 

Till  every  nation,  kindred,  tribe  and  clan, 

Shall  learn  to  love  in  truth,  their  brother  man, 

Then,  navies  with  their  whitened  sails  unfurled 

Shall  bear  the  commerce  of  a  busy  world  ; 

And  forts  and  arsenals  be  turned  to  marts 

Where  industry  her  peaceful  life  imparts. 


COL  U MB  I  AN  LIBER  TY  AND  PEA  CE  BELL.        j  25 

For  peace  and  labor  clasp  fraternal  hands, 

And  justice  in  their  council  chamber  stands  ; 

No  war  to  scourge,  no  poverty  to  blight, 

Love  rules  by  the  eternal  law  of  right. 

No  dream  Utopian  brings  this  vision  grand, 

Upon  the  mount  of  prospect  now  I  stand 

And  see  the  world  progressing  to  that  end 

Where  all  in  unity  and  peace  shall  blend, 

When  governments  shall  seek  each  nation's  good, 

Thus  form  a  universal  brotherhood. 


COLUMBIAN  LIBERTY  AND  PEACE  BELL. 

HTHOU  art  the  symbol  of  the  inward  bell 

That  pleads  and  teaches  with  the  still  small  voice, 
But  strikes  the  hour  for  action  with  a  swell 
That  wakes  the  spirit  to  heroic  choice. 

Ring  out,  O  blessed  bell,  a  tocsin  sound 
To  call  brave  warriors  to  the  Cause  of  Peace, 

To  make  all  earth  for  once,  a  battle  ground 

Through   whose  triumphant  victories   wrong  shall 
cease. 

Ring  loud,  O  ring  the  very  wrath  of  God, 
Omniscient  zeal,  that  naught  of  evil  brooks  ; 

True  as  the  plummet,  sure  as  measuring  rod, 

Devoid  of  fancies,  free  from  schemes  and  crooks. 

Bring  love  baptismal,  bring  the  vital  strength 
That  Michael  and  his  angels  had  of  old, 

Till  clothed  in  her  right  mind  the  earth  at  length 
Shall  know  the  fabled,  dreamed  of  Age  of  Gold. 

Ring  fearless  peals,  to  thunder  far  and  wide 
With  leveling  force  like  horns  of  Jericho  ; 

Ring  out  in  earnest,  Heaven  is  on  thy  side, 
Till  bastile,  fort  and  citadel  are  low. 


I26  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Ring  shame  upon  the  navies  of  the  deep, 

Those  monsters  for  iniquity,  those  floating  hells, 

O'er  which  the  pitying  angels  pause  and  weep 
While  demon  pride  each  rivaling  nation  swells. 

Ring  shame  that  carnage  with  its  blood-red  hand 
Presents  the  engines  used,  in  Christian  might, 

That  would  be  spurned  from  darksome  horror-land 
As  far  too  evil  for  Plutonian  night. 

Ring  till  the  Christian  bells  in  steeple  tower 
O'er  legislative  halls,  and  learning's  fane, 

O'er  mart,  and  mine,  and  factory  own  thy  power, 
And  vibrate  with  the  justice  of  thy  strain. 

Till  heathen  lands  their  passion-rousing  din 
Shall  silence  for  thy  chimes  so  pure  and  blest ; 

When  war  retreats  with  legion  hosts  of  sin, 
Thy  music  then,  shall  "charm  the  savage  breast.y 

Ring  soft  and  low  sweet  gratitude  and  prayer, 
Ring  "  Peace  on  Earth,"  so  sadly  long  delayed  ; 

God's  joyful  band  again  shall  thrill  the  air 
Mid  love-bought  glory  that  shall  never  fade. 

As  human  hearts  their  angel-hood  disclose, 
The  desert  wastes  in  fruitfulness  will  sing  ; 

The  wildernesses  blossom  as  the  rose, 

And  all  the  bells  of  Heaven  with  thee  shall  ring. 


THE  ANGEL  CHOIR. 

"THE  light  of  day  had  vanished, 

Its  cares  and  toils  were  done 
The  twilight  gray  departed 
And  curtains  dark  were  hung, 


THE  ANGEL  CHOIR. 

A  silence  brooded  over, 

The  night  was  hushed  and  still, 
Save  the  moaning  of  the  wind-harp 

Along  the  pine-clad  hill. 

I  sought  my  couch  at  even 

To  find  from  toil  release, 
But  ere  my  weary  eyelids 

Were  wrapped  in  slumber's  peace, 
My  thoughts  flew  back  and  forward 

Like  a  shuttle  in  a  loom, 
The  fabric  of  my  vision 

Was  tinged  with  shade  and  gloom. 

I  thought  of  life's  strange  meaning, 

Its  suffering,  trial,  pain  ; 
How  many  hearts  to  woe  were  tuned, 

Instead  of  hope's  refrain. 
When  lo  !  I  heard  above  me 

As  if  in  upper  air, 
Sweet  angel  voices  chanting 

Divinest  music  there- 

With  ecstasy  I  listened, 

What  heavenly  harmony, 
An  anthem  chorus  swelling 

And  then  sweet  melody. 
I  thought,  "  it  is  the  ransomed 

Who  in  God's  mansions  shine, 
The  psalms  of  triumph  singing, 

The  Lamb's  grand  song  divine." 

It  floated  nearer,  nearer, 

Until  my  inner  sight 
Perceived  that  choir  immortal 

Arrayed  in  vestments  white. 
I  reached  my  hands  in  trusting 

To  touch  their  snowy  hem, 
That  I  might  be  made  holy 

By  coming  near  to  thrm. 


127 


128  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

When  lo  !  they  spread  their  pinions 

And  vanished  from  my  sight ; 
And  then  I  pondered  deeply 

The  vision  of  the  night. 
Not  lofty  ones  descending 

From  out  the  great  unknown, 
Who  sing  and  play  on  golden  harps 

Around  the  Jasper  Throne, 

But  blessed  angel  guardians, 

Who  know  our  common  needs, 
Whose  gentle  God-like  presence 

From  sin's  dark  pathway  leads. 
O  heaven-sent  evangels  ! 

Descend  the  bright  stair-way  ; 
Come  often,  cheer  and  guide  us, 

Direct  us  day  by  day. 

O,  those  sweet  strains  of  gladness 

Of  love  and  joy  and  hope, 
They  tune  my  heart  to  noble  themes 

And  heavenly  vista's  ope. 
Life's  song  has  sweeter  cadence, 

Earth  seems  more  bright  and  fair 
Since  I  henrd  that  anjjel  chorus 

The  music  in  the  air. 


LOVE'S  MINISTERY. 

G MOULD  golden  lyres  concordant  chime 

In  accents  sweet  and  clear, 
And  pour  their  melodies  sublime 
Into  my  listening  ear; 

Their  rapture  would  my  being  thrill, 

Too  soon  to  pass  away. 
For  pleasures  that  the  senses  fill 

Are  transient  as  the  day. 


LOVE'S  MINISTEKY. 


129 


I  know  of  holier  symphonies 

Born  of  the  soul  of  love, 
Whose  ever  present  ministries 

A  lasting  blessing  prove. 

Her  voice  is  soft  as  silver  lute, 

Her  power  hath  secret  charm 
To  hold  the  tongue  of  passion  mute, 

And  keep  the  soul  from  harm. 

Like  fabled  Orpheus  of  old, 

Her  minstrelsy  can  sway 
The  beasts  of  nature  strong  and  bold, 

Till  gently  they  obey. 

O  love  divinely  pure!  the  crown 

Of  our  interior  life, 
For  thee,  the  lower  self  laid  down, 

No  more  shall  rise  in  strife. 

Angelic  language  is  expressed 

In  all  thy  words  and  ways, 
The  spring  that  rises  in  the  breast 

Is  everlasting  praise 

Love  tender,  watchful,  patient,  kind, 

All  clothed  with  charity, 
Fair  offspring  of  the  Eternal  Mind! 

Heaven's  graces  blend  in  thee. 

Thou  wreath'st  the  cross  with  roses  bright, 

And  lilies  white  and  fair, 
Till  all  its  burden  seemeth  light, 

And  easier  to  bear. 

No  heights  so  high,  or  depths  so  deep 

That  thou  wil't  not  explore, 
And  there  with  sleepless  vision  keep 

Thy  blessed  vigils  o'er. 


130 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

O  who  can  sing  thy  canticle! 

From  earth's  attraction  free, 
Or  picture  of  thy  glory  fill 

With  truthful  praise  of  thee. 

Soul  of  existence  brooding  here, 

Spread  thy  celestial  wings, 
And  intromit  us  to  the  sphere 

Of  sacred  heavenly  things. 

Where  reign'st  supreme  thy  queenly  grace, 

In  virtue's  constant  smile, 
And  in  thy  sun-illumined  face 

Is  seen  no  trace  of  guile. 

'Tis  carnal  man  that  prostitutes 

Thy  character  and  name, 
And  robes  a  baser  substitute 

With  mantle  of  thy  fame. 

High-born  and  God-like  attribute! 

No  sin  can  tarnish  thee, 
Thy  ways  all  calumny  refute, 

Thy  heart  is  chaste  and  free. 

'Tis  lust  conceived,  that  dearth  brings  forth, 

This  human  hearts  may  prove; 
While  all  that's  good  in  Heaven  or  earth 

Is  fruit  of  perfect  love. 


MY  LITTLE  BED. 


LIFE  WITHOUT  LOVE. 

]  IFE  without  love  is  like  a  sunless  sky, 

A  night  without  its  crown  of  glittering  stars, 

An  eventide  without  its  golden  bars. 
A  tree  whereon  fair  blossoms  wilt  and  die, 
A  stream  whose  pebbled  bed  is  hard  and  dry. 

A  vacant  house  where  moldy  wreckage  mars, 

A  broken  harp,  a  soulless  song  with  jars 
Made  harsh,  a  soundless  ear,  a  sightless  eye. 
Life  without  love  is  like  a  bloomless  spring, 

A  fruitless  autumn  time,  a  breathless  rose; 
A  chantless  sea  where  wild  waves  rudely  fling, 

A  dreary  desert  where  no  fountain  flows. 
Life  without  love's  divine,  inspiring  breath 
Oh  is  not  life,  but  hopeless,  living  death. 


MY  LITTLE  BED. 

\\RITTEN    FOR    THE   CHILDREN. 

A    LONG  time  since  in  the  mossy  turf 

Where  the  brooklet  babbled  by, 
Grew  a  lovely  tree  from  a  seed  as  small 
As  the  pupil  of  your  eye. 

'Twas  not  the  oak  of  the  mountain  top, 

For  those  from  acorns  grow, 
But  the  emerald  boughs  of  the  forest  pine 

In  the  valley  just  below. 

Yea  the  lovely  pine,  where  the  little  birds 
Attuned  their  rapturous  praise, 

And  a  covert  found  in  the  dewy  night, 
And  from  noon-tide's  scorching  rays. 


132 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

'Twas  from  this  tree  so  fine  and  large 
That  my  bedstead  small  was  made, 

On  which  I  rest  when  the  stars  shine  out, 
In  their  silvery  veils  arrayed. 

It  was  hewed  apart  from  its  native  soil 
By  the  woodman's  swinging  tool; 

Of  branches  shorn,  and  brought  to  the  mill, 
And  sawed  by  the  sawyer's  rule. 

Then,  grooved  and  planned  by  the  carpenter 

Its  frame  was  all  complete, 
And  covered  well  by  the  painter's  oil 

It  was  handsome,  strong  and  neat. 

A  tick  well  filled  with  fresli  sweet  husks 

From  the  farmer's  silky  corn, 
Makes  soft  and  warm  my  nightly  lodge 

From  early  eve  till  morn. 

Two  sheets  as  white  as  the  driven  snow, 

Or  the  blue  sky's  fleecy  cloud, 
Are  spread  all  over  my  little  bed, 

A  sweet  and  dainty  shroud. 

They  came  from  the  land  of  golden  fruit 
Where  the  grand  Mississippi  flows, 

And  the  Gulf-Stream  washes  the  shining  sands 
Arjcl  many  a  sweet  flower  grows. 

For  there  on  the  broad  plantation  grounds 

Where  the  negroes  toil  and  sing, 
Grow  the  cotton  shrub  with  their  tassel  bloom, 

And  a  harvest  rich  they  bring. 

The  blossoms  plucked  by  the  tawny  hand 

Are  placed  in  a  large  machine, 
Where  the  seeds  are  cast  from  the  downy  tuft 

Which  makes  them  white  and  clean. 


MY  LITTLE  BED. 


133 


Then  drawn  into  threads  of  wond'rous  length 

By  spindles  of  glittering  steel; 
While  the  warp  and  woof  with  rattling  loom 

The  power  of  skill  reveal. 

And  this  is  the  way  my  sheets  are  made 

By  many  a  busy  hand, 
And  bought  with  a  sum  of  golden  coin 

From  the  vender's  trading-stand. 

My  blankets  come  from  the  meadows  green 

Where  the  blue-eyed  grasses  blow, 
And  daisies  bloom,  and  hedges  shade, 

And  the  dancing  waters  flow. 

It  may  seem  strange  but  'tis  even  true, 

As  the  lambs  might  all  declare, 
They  live  on  the  verdant  sod,  and  thrive 

By  the  shepherd's  kindly  care. 

And  the  fleece  of  wool  that  covers  them 

Protects  when  the  sky  is  cold, 
When  the  winds  and  snow  of  the  frosty  days, 

Blow  over  the  shelf  ring  fold. 

But  as  soon  as  the  ices  mtlt  away 

And  the  balmy  June  appears, 
Mid  fright  and  force  it  is  taken  off 

By  the  workman's  clipping  shears. 

Then  with  spindles  and  loom,  and  warp  and  woof 

The  blankets  are  quickly  made, 
What  would  we  do  but  for  sheep  and  lambs 

Through  the  chill  of  the  nightly  shade. 

My  pillow  is  made  of  the  softest  down, 

Though  not  from  the  icy  shores 
Where  the  eider  duck  builds  her  distant  nest, 

But  from  flocks  around  our  doors. 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  feathers  give  rest  to  the  aching  head, 

Or  when  sleep  the  eyelids  close: 
And  my  coverlet  is  as  fresh  and  clean 

As  the  whitest  thing  that  grows. 

What  a  goodly  thing  is  my  little  bed, 
What  a  place  for  blessed  dreams 

Of  the  far  away  hills,  and  meadow  lands, 
Where  the  sun  in  its  brightness  beams. 

My  mind  is  filled  with  the  thought  each  day 

Of  the  many  who  have  no  bed, 
Of  how  even  the  Saviour  had  naught  on  earth 

Where  upon  to  lay  His  head. 

And  at  even-tide  when  I  go  to  rest, 

I  will  offer  this  humble  prayer, 
That  a  thankful  heart  may  be  ever  mine 

For  the  blessings  that  I  share. 


-*- 


POCKETS. 


you  think  of  a  boy  without  a  pocket? 
Never  a  moment  could  you! 
For  with  books  and  traps  and  money  perhaps 

What  would  a  boy  then  do  ? 
There  are  nails  and  screws  that  must  find  a  place, 

With  pieces  of  twine  and  hooks, 
Big  iron  rings  and  numerous  things 

That  he  thinks  more  of  than  books. 
There  are  rolls  of  paper  and  finger  cots, 

And  matches  we're  sorry  to  say, 
Such  dangerous  ware  should  be  placed  with  care 

In  a  safety  box  away. 
Do  you  know  what  fills  his  pockets  out 

Appeasing  hunger  and  thirst  ? 
Those  apples  or  pears  he  ever  bears, 

All  wearing  to  rends  the  worst. 


THE  ROBIN. 

And  stranger  things  the  pockets  swell 

Some  that  we  think  not  nice, 
Potato  bugs  and  slimy  slugs, 

And  even  little  mice. 
Though  the  cat  is  fed  and  fishes  too, 

By  hand  so  kind  and  free, 
There  are  other  ways  in  which  love  displays 

Her  deeds  of  charity. 
Mysterious  holes  in  the  corners  come, 

And  many  things  slip  through, 
The  lids  are  torn  and  the  garment's  worn, 

Too  soon  there  is  work  to  do. 
There  are  suitable  things  to  carry  there, 

Handkerchief,  knife  and  comb, 
Perhaps  a  book,  and  a  little  nook 

Where  the  pencil  may  find  room. 
These  pockets  are  handy  we  often  hear; 

— Handy  for  idle  hands, — 
But  in  culture's  school  we  find  the  rule 

Against  this  practice  stands. 
From  pockets  many  in  every  robe, 

In  jacket,  coat  and  cape, 
From  pants  and  vest,  surtout  and  breast, 

Bad  things  cannot  escape. 
Let  boys  now  learn, — each  in  his  turn — 

Some  thought  to  well  bestow; 
To  things  they  wear,  give  proper  care, 

Good  seed  they  thus  will  sow. 


-*- 


135 


THE  ROBIN. 

C  ING,  robin  sing,  from  your  cool  sheltered  nest, 

Your  nest  where  the  cherry  buds  blow, 
Sing  us  the  melody  you  love  the  best, 
The  one  that  we  love  best  you  know. 


I36  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  one  that  we  followed  when  life's  day  was  young, 

And  mimicked  with  tin-horn  and  pipe, 
Ah!  these  were  the  words  we  imagined  you  sung, 

"  Sweet  cherries,  cherries,  ripe,  ripe,  ripe!  " 

Sing,  sing  in  the  morning  when  first  the  glad  light 

Like  a  telegram- comes  from  on  high, 
And  beautiful  star-eyes  that  watched  through  the  night, 

Close  gently  to  sleep  in  the  sky. 
Sing  when  the  dull  orient  bursts  into  flame, 

When  crimson  waves  change  into  blue, 
O  child  of  the  matin  hours,  gladly  proclaim 

Your  own  cheerful  message  true,  true! 

Sing  when  the  shadows  cross  woodland  and  wold, 

And  the  sun  like  a  wise  alchemist 
Turns  all  the  gray  clouds  into  vessels  of  gold, 

On  an  ocean  of  pale  amethyst. 
O  then  when  we  offer  the  day's  latest  prayer, 

Ere  sleep  its  fine  drapery  has  spun, 
Sing  out  merry  chorister,  thrill  all  the  air, 

The  day,  that  grand  miracle's  done! 

And  warbler,  should  you  tarry  here  when  I 

Have  said  to  home  and  friends  the  last  farewell, 
Above  my  soundless  ears  in  joyance  fly, 

Your  secrets  to  my  silent  heart  to  tell. 
And  when  mayhap  to  sunny  worlds  above, 

Your  loving  notes  will  take  an  upward  wing 
To  one  who  always  listened  from  pure  love, 

O  happy  robin,  sing,  sing,  sing! 

* 


WELCOME  TO  JUNE. 

DEAUTIFUL  and  happy  June  time! 

Wondrous  days  of  cheer! 
With  your  brightness  and  your  sweetness, 
With  your  fullness  and  completeness 
You  are  welcome  here! 


WELCOME  TO  JUNE. 

Welcome!  every  opening  blossom, 

Silver,  gold  and  blue, 
Matchless  pearl  and  rosy  dresses. 
And  the  fragrance  each  possesses, 

Glad  we  are  for  you. 

From  beyond  the  sapphire  arches 
Come  the  sun's  warm  rays, 

And  cold  winter's  crystal  masses, 

Metamorphosed  into  grasses, 
Make  these  lovely  days. 

And  the  merry  birds  of  summer 

On  their  fluttering  wings, 
From  the  early  morning  blushes. 
Till  the  gentle  evening  hushes, 

Each  a  glad  song  sings. 

And  the  soft  caressing  zephyrs — 

Whence  and  whither  they? 
Laden  without  weight  or  measure 
With  the  best  of  floral  treasure 
Gathered  on  their  way. 

O,  I  hear  the  distant  ripple 

Of  the  meadow  rill, 
Where  the  lamb  its  mother  follows 
Over  hills  and  into  hollows 

Where  the  world  is  still. 

See  the  clouds  with  silver  lining 

Watch  the  sun  go  down, 
View  the  silent  midnight  glories, 
Theme  of  new  and  olden  stories, 

Earth's  unfading  crown. 

All  these  things  fair  June  has  brought  us, 

Scattering  far  and  near; 
Then  farewell  cold  wintry  brightness, 
Diamond  glitter,  snowy  whiteness 

And  your  merry  cheer. 


!  38  MO  UN T  LEBA NON  CEDA R  BO  UGHS. 

Every  living  passing  beauty 

Speaks  so  well  to  me, 
Tells  me  of  our  God  in  heaven, 
By  whose  hand  all  gifts  are  given 

So  abundantly. 

He  who  guides  the  passing  seasons 

Loveth  human  souls, 
And  his  mercy  he  is  sending, 
Light  and  peace  and  joy  unending, 

And  each  life  controls. 

Then  let  every  grateful  spirit 
Render  ceaseless  praise; 
For  the  bliss  of  life  that  fills  them 
For  the  power  of  good  that  thrills  them, 
Through  these  gladsome  days. 


-*- 


A  PICTURE. 

'"THE  time  of  flowers  had  come  and  passed  away, 

While  in  the  velvet  fields  of  June 
Sat  in  the  year's  calm  afternoon 
October,  in  her  daintiest  array. 

From  orchards  jubilant  with  song  and  shout, 

The  merry  children  came,  the  glow 

Of  health  like  ocean's  undertow, 
Just  carried  sportive  spirits  in  and  out. 

We  passed  them  on  the  roadway  steep  and  wide, 

Their  faces  sobered,  but  the  fun 

Was  loth  to  hide,  so  first  from  one, 
And  then  from  all,  burst  forth  the  rippling  tide. 


A    TRIPLET  OF  SONNETS. 

Their  manners  bore  the  trace  of  Nature's  school, 

No  extra  polish  could  we  see; 

Their  pants  were  shattered  at  the  knee, 
Their  hats  acknowledged  ventilation's  rule. 

The  nut-brown  faces  flushed  in  pink, 
The  parted  lips,  the  dancing  eyes, 
Gave  no  strange  feeling  of  surprise, 

No  evidence  of  new-found  joy  I  think. 

Nay,  childhood's  days  are  always  much  alike, 

The  sweet  abandon  comes  to  all, 

Ere  manhood's  duties  sternly  fall, 
Ere  loyal  hearts  must  feel  and  hands  must  strike. 

I  would  not  rob  one  youthful  soul  of  joy, 
Nor  mar  its  pleasure  by  an  act, 
The  days  are  near  when  sternest  fact 

Will  curb  the  gushing  life  of  girl  and  boy. 

My  soul  said,  "  have  your  joy  oh  merry  band, 
While  hearts  and  spirits  all  are  gay, 
The  time  is  growing  short  for  play, 

The  hours  for  work  are  very  near  at  hand." 


139 


A  TRIPLET  OF  SONNETS. 

DLEST  childhood,  happy,  innocent  and  free, 

Rose-lipped  and  blushing  as  the  dawning  day, 
With  eyes  as  brilliant  and  with  hearts  as  gay 

As  the  gazelle  who  loveth  liberty. 

Tho'  glad  the  life,  and  full  of  mirth  and  glee, 
Yet  all  the  questioning,  through  toil  and  play, 
Shows  how  unfolding  thought  and  reason  sway 

And  mold  the  face  that  speaks  sincerity. 


140  MOUNT  LEBANON  CELAR  BOUGHS. 

O  joyful  hours  of  early  springtime  dreams, 
Which  lead  by  rippling  stream  and  flowery  glade, 

When  all  the  imagery  of  life  but  seems 
Like  some  fair  picture  on  a  canvas  laid, 

Whose  beauteous  shades  are  like  the  sunset  gleams 
That  from  the  expanding  vision  quickly  fade. 


Bright  ardent  youth,  life's  kindled  flames  mount  high 

As  early  day's  transcendent  oriflamme; 

Imagination  leads  to  wealth  and  fame 
And  builds  its  airy  castles  in  the  sky. 
The  full-fledged  bird  its  pinions  oft  may  try, 

And  none  to  freedom  can  deny  its  claim, 

Yet  liberty  shall  prove  an  empty  name 
Lest  thou  of  passions  base,  thyself  deny. 

Be  this  thy  motto,  wrought  by  time's  deft  hand, 
Health,  virtue,  truth,  inwoven  in  thy  life, 
Blest  principles  to  guide  through  toil  and  strife, 

That  in  integrity  thy  soul  may  stand, 

And  long  thy  days  may  be  within  the  land, 
Full  of  good  fruits,  with  peace  and  blessing  rife. 


I  would  not  couple  age  with  weary  care, 

Or  closely  link  it  unto  sorrow's  load, 

Which  lowly-bowed  on  time's  long  dreary  road 
Must  walk  alone  in  silence  and  despair. 
Ah  nay!  'tis  day's  decline  all  calm  and  fair, 

The  genial  rest  that  nature  has  bestowed; 

No  heated  strife  life'.s  waning  powers  to  goad, 
But  tranquil  peace  diffusing  everywhere. 

As  is  the  morn,  so  proves  the  evening  bright, 
Yet,  softened  with  the  mellow-tinted  rays 

That  temper  the  full  glare  of  glowing  light, 
And  robe  the  mountains  with  a  purple  haze, 

Ere  falls  the  curtain  of  the  night, 
And  hides  the  traveler  from  mortal  sight. 


AUTUMN.  I4I 


CARNATIONS. 

\A7HAT  beauty  this  my  wondering  eyes  behold, 
Within  the  garden's  border  growing  strong, 

Sweetly  united  in  a  happy  throng? 
Fresh  buds  are  these,  of  red,  and  pink,  and  gold, 
Most  delicately  fringed,  while  fold  on  fold 

They  grace  the  slender  stem,  and  all  day  long 

Wave  gently  to  the  tune  of  glad  bird-song; 
Their  faces  to  the  sun,  their  feet  in  mold. 
Thus  we  may  live  and  grow,  and  though  of  earth, 

Look  upward  with  the  faith  that  maketh  glad, 
May  find  the  power  that  gives  the  angel  birth, 

And  gladden  other  hearts  who're  lone  and  sad. 
Thus,    like  the   flowers    where  grace  and  fragrance 

blend, 
Sweet  memories  of  our  lives  may  cheer  each  friend. 


AUTUMN. 


C  UMMER  has  passed  with  its  long  evening  twilight, 
The  birds  with  their  chirping  have  gone  from  the 

eaves, 
The  beautiful  flowers  so  full  in  their  blooming 

Have  dropped  from  the  stems  and  left  nothing  but 
leaves. 


Left  nothing  but  leaves.     Ah!  how  can  we  say  so, 
Those  rich  tiny  leaves  with  their  various  shades 

That  with  delicate  hands  were  tenderly  gathered 
By  brooklet  and  rill  in  the  deep  silent  glades. 


142 


MOU.\T  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


And  now  we  behold  them  as  memory's  picture, 
The  fern  fronds,  the  daisy  and  buttercups  gold, 

We'll  weave  them  together  a  wreath  for  the  summer 
That  bids  us  good-bye,  for  the  year  groweth  old. 

But  autumn  has  joys,  though  faded  the  roses, 
And  bare  is  the  stem  with  its  long  amber  thorn, 

The  high  tasseled  corn  once  rich  in  its  plumage 
Is  rustling  a  chant  to  the  fields  that  are  shorn. 

The  birds  and  the  insects  have  sung  their  last  chorus, 
The  flowers  and  leaflets  all  trembled  in  tune, 

And  the  last  notes  of  joy  to  days  that  were  passing 
We'll  hear  as  an  echo  some  fair  afternoon. 

Then  listen  and  wait  to  catch  the  low  whisper, 
For  the  song  of  the  swan  is  sweetest  at  last, 

The  sound  of  the  melody  heard  is  the  sighing 
Of  trees  that  are  bidding  farewell  to  the  past. 


STARS  THAT  TWINKLE. 

The  following  verses  were  written  by  a  brother  who  was  born, 
educated  and  reared  in  affluence  in  the  West  India  Islands.  His 
father  was  a  highly  cultured  and  wealthy  nobleman.  He  employed 
a  large  number  of  natives  of  both  sexes  to  work  on  his  extensive 
plantations,  aud  among  the  poor  blacks,  who  were  bought  and 
sold  like  so  many  cattle,  he  chose  him  a  wife.  The  result  of  this 
union  was  that  a  son  was  born  to  them,  who,  when  in  the  strength 
of  young  manhood,  gave  his  substance  and  dedicated  his  life  to  the 
gospel  cause  ;  he  was  an  earnest  advocate  for  the  equality  of  the 
sexes  and  the  abolishment  of  slavery.  These  lines  were  written  by 
him  a  few  years  before  the  Proclamation  of  Emancipation  was 
issued. 

CTARS  that  twinkle,  twinkle  down 

Like  bright  diamonds  in  a  crown, 
Wherefore  are  ye  winking  ? 


STARS  THAT  TWINKLE. 

Look  ye  forth  upon  the  earth 
God  hath  filled  with  joy  and  mirth 
Of  its  sorrows  thinking  ? 

On  the  mountain  capped  with  snow 
Where  the  linches  only  grow, 

He  hath  placed  no  sorrow, 
In  its  robes  of  purest  white 
Towering  almost  out  of  sight 

Looking  for  the  morrow. 

Midst  the  forest  clad  in  green, 
Where  the  humming-bird  is  seen 

Flitting  hither,  thither, 
Trees  are  waving  in  the  air, 
Knowing  not  that  weary  care 

Blithest  hearts  can  wither. 

Where  the  streamlet  glides  along 
Purling  forth  its  joyous  song, 
Moving  to  the  ocean, 
Tiny  fishes  in  the  stream 
Never  in  their  sporting  dream 
Aught  of  sad  emotion. 

On  the  sunny  everglade 

Where  hath  trod  the  Indian  maid 

Wandering  o'er  the  prairie, 
There  her  joyous  songs  uprise 
As  with  nimble  feet  she  hies 

Like  the  eastern  fairy. 

In  the  placid  lake  is  seen 

By  the  moonlight's  silvery  sheen, 

O'er  its  bosom  skimming, 
Clouds  reflected  from  the  air, 
Pictured  from  that  mirror  there 

On  its  waters  swimming; 


'43 


144 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Landscape  of  the  distant  hills, 
Echoes  of  the  mountain  rills, 

All  indeed  is  gladness; 
Why  then  mourns  each  glistening  star, 
As  it  looketh  from  afar 

Thinking  of  earth's  sadness  ? 

Look  upon  the  boundless  sea! 
Hear  its  billows  in  their  glee, 

Onward,  onward  sweeping, 
Where  'tis  said  in  ancient  lore, 
Mermaids  dwelt  in  days  of  yore 

In  its  caverns  sleeping. 

See  the  brilliant  sun  at  length, 
Rising  in  Titanic  strength 

Flooding  earth  with  glory. 
On  yon  distant  mountain  top, 
Shining  in  each  dewy  drop, 

Speaks  he  sorrow's  story  ? 

As  he  wields  his  radiant  wand 
O'er  the  ocean  and  the  land, 

From  his  chariot  smiling, 
Troops  of  fleecy  clouds  advance 
Joining  in  a  joyful  dance 

O'er  each  other  piling. 

Joyous  thunders  rolling  round, 
From  each  hill  and  vale  rebound 

Full  of  music  crashing; 
Earth  is  gladsome  as  she  sees 
Lightning  gleam  amidst  the  trees, 

O'er  her  bosom  flashing. 

Rainbow  arched  upon  the  sky, 
Seem  like  pictures  placed  on  high 
Promises  of  blessing; 


REPL  Y  OF  THE  STARS. 

Drops  descending  from  above 
Tell  that  God  is  full  of  love, 
Every  good  possessing. 

Then  ye  stars  of  radiance  bright, 
Why  does  not  your  pretty  light 

Steadily  be  shining  ? 
Why  as  veiled  by  passing  clouds, 
Weeping,  each  his  face  enshrouds 

Constantly  repining? 
Is  it  all  a  golden  dream, 
As  the  earth  indeed  should  seem, 

Yet  but  poets  fiction  ? 
Know  ye  ought  that  mars  the  scene, 
Casts  a  darkening  cloud  between 

Telling  of  affliction? 

Ye  who  have  for  ages  wept 
As  the  car  of  time  hath  swept 

In  its  ceaseless  travel, 
Keeping  vigils  all  the  night, 
There  is  mystery  in  your  light, 

Will  you  now  unravel  ? 


145 


REPLY  OF  THE  STARS. 

\A/E  looked  on  the  earth  as  the  daylight  was  gleam 
ing, 

And  wept  for  her  children,  yea,  wept  for  them  all, 
For  while  some  resposed  on  their  soft  cushions  dream 
ing 
In  many  a  house  was  the  funeral  pall. 


146  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

We  saw  that  the  earth  was  indeed  made  for  gladness, 
And    nature's   rich    blessings    were    freely    poured 
down, 

But  man  by  his  folly,  his  pride  and  his  madness, 
Hath  turned  every  smile  to  a  sorrowing  frown. 


We    looked   on   the  ocean   where  sunbeams  should 

smile, 

And  thought  upon  Erin  the  Emerald  Isle, 
The  infants  were  weeping,  their  parents  were  dead, 
The  hope  of  their  country  had  fallen  or  fled. 
Their  eyes  were  all  sunken — how  hollow  the  voice! 
Their  sports  had  all  ceased,  they  could  not  rejoice; 
Gaunt  famine  was  stalking  as  though  he  had  come 
To  gather  them  all  to  his  last  charnal  home; 
The  tears  were  descending,  like  rain  drops  they  fell, 
And — hark!  in  the  distance  that  deep  tolling  bell, 
O,  souls  are  now  passing  from  this  joyful  earth, 
Who  never  yet  tasted  of  ought  of  its  mirth. 


We  turned  to  Britannia,  her  flag  was  hung  out, 

As  though  she  would   fill  the   whole  earth  with  her 

shout, 

The  sound  of  her  drum  we  could  hear  o'er  the  sea 
As  it  rolled  thro'  the  valley's,  o'er  mountain  and  lea; 
Her  coffers  were  filled  with  the  bright  shining  gold, 
And  brave  were  her  warriors,  all  strong  men  and  bold, 
Her  queen  was  enthroned  in  a  palace  of  state, 
And  round  her  were  gathered  the  wise  ones  and  great, 
High  lords  and  grand  ladies — a  motely  array — 
Each  trying  to  set  forth  his  rank,  for  display; 
In  satins  and  silks  they  were  flaunting  around, 
Wrung  out  from  the  poor  they  had  crushed  to  the 

ground. 

Rich  bishops  were  strutting  full  pampered  and  fed, 
Regardless  of  those  who  were  crying  for  bread, 


REPLY  OF  THE  STARS. 


147 


While  round  them  the  bayonet,  cannon  and  sword 
Were  keeping  in  awe  the  poor  famishing  horde. 
Aye!  many  a  heart  was  down-trodden  by  care, 
Whom  God  had  created  his  blessing  to  share. 
We  saw  as  we  looked  o'er  this  island  of  pride, 
How  thousands  were  trying  their  suffering  to  hide; 
The  widow  was  selling  her  bridal  ring  worn, 
The  cries  of  her  children  her  heart-strings  had  torn, 
She  wept  not,  for  tears  could  not  flow  from  her  eyes, 
But  God  surely  heard  the  poor  widow's  deep  sighs. 
And  is  this  the  Albion  of  Poetry's  song? 
The  home  of  so  noble  and  gifted  a  throng? 
The  birthplace  of  Spencer,  of  Milton  and  Gay  ? 
And  others  who  shone  with  so  dazzling  a  ray  ? 
Of  Howard,  best  known  as  the  prisoner's  friend  ? 
Of  Fry  and  of  Bixton  whose  goou  deeds  ascend  ? 
O  shame  on  thee,  Britian!  O  blush  for  thy  pride! 
The  rough  shodden  horse  o'er  thy  children  doth  ride. 
The  pomp  of  thy  glory  is  tinsel  and  show, 
While  from  thee  we  hear  the  low  wailings  of  woe. 
O  turn  from  thine  errors!  repent  thee  in  time, 
E'er  storms  of  destruction  thy  death-knell  shall  chime! 

We  saw  where  the  snow  king  on  Muscovite  land 

Was  wielding  the  sceptre  of  ice  in  his  hand; 

The  storm  clouds  were  gathering  and  howling  around, 

O'er  the  lakes  and  the  rivers  his  cold  hand  had  bound. 

The  cot  of  the  peasant  was  humble  and  low, 

His  pathway  was  covered  with  deep  drifting  snow, 

We  marked  as  he  entered  his  aspect  of  care, 

He  strove  to  conceal  it— yet  sorrow  was  there; 

He  rested  a  moment  his  hand  on  his  face, 

Then  walked  to  and  fro  with  a  quick  restless  pace, 

He  looked  at  his  daughter— he  patted  her  head 

The  infant  was  sleeping  on  her  little  bed; 

O  never  again  will  his  eyes  e'er  behold 

The  dear  ones  he  loved  more  than  silver  or  gold. 

The  Czar  had  commanded,  the  conscript  must  go, 


I48  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Where  Danube's  dark  waters  through  Hungary  flow. 
The  knout  is  hung  o'er  him,  its  dread  lash  in  sight, 
He  dares  not  complain,  but  hastes  on  to  the  fight. 
The  sword  of  the  Hussar  may  cleave  through  his  brain, 
And  rid  him  of  all  of  earth's  sorrows  and  pain. 

O  weep  for  the  land  where  the  Austrian  doth  ride! 
The  Magyar  is  fallen  and  ravised  his  bride. 
The  tomb  of  his  mother  the  rude  shot  has  torn, 
They  could  not  let  her  rest  in  her  last  earthly  bourne. 
The  church  where  his  father  had  worshipped  of  yore 
Is  clotted  and  stained  with  the  deep  crimson  gore. 
O  speak  not  of  gladness!    O  tell  not  of  joy! 
The  hand  of  oppression  is  stretched  to  destroy; 
The  blood  of  the  murdered  is  crying  aloud, 
And  smoke  from  the  cannon  ascends  like  a  cloud; 
"How  long,  O  thou  righteous,"  the  martyred  ones 

cry, 

"  How  long  shall  those  shrieks  be  uprising  on  high? 
Will  thou  not  avenge  us,  O  merciful  God, 
And  take  from  the  despot  his  scorpion  rod  ?  " 

Italia,  thou  land  of  the  jasmine  and  vine, 

In  vain  did  thy  forces  'gainst  Austria  combine, 

The  city  of  islands  must  soon  fall  a  prey, 

And  Hapsburgh  will  over  her  once  more  hold  sway; 

Where  steered  the  light  gondola  swiftly  along, 

No  more  may  be  heard  the  gondolier's  song. 

The  boom  of  the  cannon,  the  bursting  of  shells 

Are  all  the  rude  music  thy  minstrelsy  swells. 

No  more,  Adriatic,  shall  wedded  to  thee 

Proud  Venice  be  mistress  again  of  thy  sea; 

And  Rome  the  eternal,  hath  dug  a  wide  grave, 

For  those  who  have  fallen  their  country  to  save. 

What  then,  if  o'er  Italy  beams  the  bright  sun 

And  green  is  the  wreath  which  her  artists  have  won  ? 

What  though  the  sweet  music  her  minstrels  have  sung 

A  charm  o'er  the  nations  of  earth  may  have  flung, 


REPLY  OF  THE  STARS. 


149 


What,  what  are  they  in  the  grief  of  the  heart 
When  those  who  have  loved  thee  are  called  to  depart? 
When  she  who  caressed  thee  in  youth's  early  day 
And  hushed  thee  to  sleep  with  some  sweet  plaintive 

lay, 
Whose  knees  were  thy  pillow,  whose  heart  was  thine 

own 

Is  struggling  to  death  in  her  last  bitter  groan. 
The  shot  of  the  foeman  is  doing  its  work, 
The  Christian  is  worse  than  the  heathenish  Turk. 
To  the  walls  of  the  city  she  hasted  at  dawn, 
Her  heart  with  her  children  to  battle  had  gone, 
She  thought  that  perchance  they  were  weary  and  sad, 
"At  sight  of  their  mother  they'd  surely  be  glad." 
She  flew  through  the  streets,  but  she  hasted  in  vain, 
The  thunder  of  cannon  was  heard  once  again. 
O  Mother!  the  day  of  thy  sorrows  are  o'er; 
She  sinks  to  the  ground,  she  is  covered  with  gore, 
Her  features  are  mangled,  and  glazed  are  her  eyes, 
"  O  leave  me  to  die!  "  the  poor  wounded  one  cries. 
One  quiver,  one  gasp  and  the  spirit  has  fled, 
And  Visla  is  ranked  with  those  who  are  dead. 
O  France!  the  heart's  blood  thy  escutcheon  has  stained 
Will  tarnish  the  glory  that  thou  hast  e'er  gained, 
What  are  the  proud  victories  thy  Bonaparte  won, 
To  comfort  the  heart  of  the  poor  orphan  son  ? 
And  what  count  the  trophies  thou  wavest  on  high, 
To  hush  up  the  sound  of  the  lone  widow's  cry  ? 
La  Belle  France,  La  Belle  France  !  thou  art  drunken 

with  wine, 

And  dreamest  that  sunbeams  of  liberty  shine  ; 
Thy  sins  are  like  oceans  whose  waves  never  rest, 
But  vainly  are  moving  from  East  unto  West ; 
The  bark  on  her  bosom  careering  in  joy, 
She  dashes  in  fury  that  she  may  destroy  ; 
Although  for  a  moment  she  seemeth  to  smile, 
'Tis  only  that  she  may  the  seamen  beguile  ; 


I5o  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

No  peace  for  her  waters,  but  onward  they  roll, 
Forever  she  moveth  from  pole  unto  pole. 
These  are  the  dark  sins  which  have  crimsoned  thy  soil, 
They  lead  thee  in  darkness,  thy  beauty  they  spoil  ; 
No  rest  to  thy  people,  no  peace  to  thy  land  : 
Ho  !  ho  !  they  are  driving  thy  bark  to  the  strand. 
Thou  dreamest  of  freedom,  but  knowest  not  now, 
The  breakers  before  thee,  right  under  thy  bow, 
Sleep!  sleep  out  thy  revel,  then  wake  up  indeed, 
And  mourn  o'er  the  thousands  tliou  madest  to  bleed, 
Proclaim  through  thy  borders,  Jehovah  is  king, 
And  works  of  repentance  as  offerings  bring. 
It  may  be  that  God  in  his  mercy  may  hear, 
And  wipe  from  the  eye  the  sorrowing  tear, 
May  open  the  store-house  of  gladness  and  love, 
And  pour  out  rich  blessing  from  heaven  above, 
Cause  peace  and  prosperity  o'er  thee  to  reign, 
And  happiness  banish  thy  sorrow  and  pain. 
Thou  askest  "  why  twinkle  we,  twinkle  we  down 
Like  diamonds  set  in  a  bright  golden  crown  ? 
And  why  weep  the  stars  as  they  look  forth  on  earth 
Which  God  has  endowed  with  a  fullness  of  mirth  ?  " 

We  passed  the  Alhatnbra,  o'er  Castile  we  sped, 

And  saw  where  the  proud  Moorish  noblemen  bled. 

O  hpain!  thou  art  cursed  for  that  dark  deed  of  thine 

Which  banished  the  Moor  from  his  favorite  shrine. 

No  more  in  Granada  we  hear  his  soft  lute, 

Nor  listen  at  dawn  to  the  sound  of  his  flute; 

The  moonlight  shines  down  where  his  footsteps  have 

trod, 

But  .yonder  he  resteth  'neath  Africa's  sod. 
We  looked  where  the  Arab  was  hasting  his  steed 
O'er  sand  of  the  desert  with  lightning-like  speed. 
He  held  in  his  hand  the  sharp  glittering  spear, 
For  the  shout  of  the  Frenchman  sounds  in  his  ear. 
Alas!  that  the  desert  itself  cannot  hide, 
But  sorrows  earth's  children  forever  betide, 


RF.PL  Y  OF  THE  S  7  A  A'.V  1 5  j 

O  Africa!  who  can  e'er  number  thy  woe, 

Or  measure  the  ocean  of  tear-drops  that  flow; 

Involved  in  the  darkness  of  midnight,  no  more 

Are  Esops  and  Hannibals  found  on  thy  shore, 

But  cruel  white  men  thy  children  enchain, 

And  drag  them  across  the  rough  billowy  main. 

Where  Brazil's  bright  diamonds  are  glistening  around, 

'Tis  there  where  the  bones  of  thy  children  are  found, 

Or  where  on  Havana's  stout  castle  is  seen 

The  banner  hung  out  of  Castilian  green, 

Unless  'neath  the  waters  they  gave  them  a  bed, 

And  left  them  to  slumber  alone  with  the  dead. 

How  bitterly,  bitterly  art  thou  repaid 

Espagna,  for  the  flesh  thy  myrmidons  flayed  ! 

Each  colony  planted  and  watered  by  thee 

Is  blighted  and  cursed,  aye,  polluted  for  thee. 

And  like  as  the  dry  leaves  the  wind  shaketh  off, 

So  have  they  done  to  thee,  they  curse  thee  and  scoff. 

The  star-spangled  banner  will  wave  in  the  breeze, 

The  eagle  will  stoop  down  and  from  thee  shall  seize 

The  diamond  thou  prizest,  the  rich  shining  gem, 

That  long  has  adorned  thy  bright  diadem. 

But  thou,  O  Columbia!  the  stars  look  to  thee 

For  on  thy  bright  standard  our  picture  we  see; 

The  eagle  is  fierce  when  he  clutcheth  his  prey, 

And  soareth  on  high  to  his  eyrie  away. 

But  look  up  to  heaven  whence  cometh  the  night? 

And  is  not  thy  heart  filled  with  sweetest  delight? 

The  stars  are  all  shining,  how  pretty  their  beams, 

They  seem  to  be  wishing  thee  bright  pleasant  dreams. 

Sweet  peace  they  are  breathing — O  peace  to  the  heart 

That  striveth  in  love  this  rich  gift  to  impart. 

No  more  let  the  sound  <pf  oppression  arise, 

Nor  slavery  fill  thee  with  horrible  cries; 

No  more  let  the  lash  of  the  driver  be  known, 

But  hushed  be  the  voice  of  thv  black  brother's  moan. 


152 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  HOUGHS. 


O  let  him  go  free,  free  as  thou  art  thyself 

And  grieve  not  his  spirit  for  perishing  pelf. 

Then,  when  the  stars  twinkle  and  weep  for  the  earth 

Thy  coasts  shall  be  filled  with  thanksgiving  and  mirth; 

And  God  will  watch  o'erthee,  and  bless  theethat  here 

Oppression  no  longer  can  call  forth  a  tear. 

Then  when  the  stars  twinkle  like  gems  in  a  crown 

On  happy  Columbia  their  love  will  pour  down. 


-*- 


PEACE  OFFERINGS  AT  THE  WORLD'S 
EXPOSITION. 


C  ARTH  brings  her  tributes  to  her  gods, 

And  piles  her  splendid  altars  high, 
Exultant  queries,  where  the  odds 
That  from  the  earth  to  heaven  lie  ? 


Amid  the  splendor  here  achieved 
What  thinks  she  of  the  other  side  ? 

The  wrongs  that  never  were  retrieved, 
The  war-made  wrongs  half  deified  ? 

She  heaps  her  gains  and  great  they  are; 

Flung  up  like  waves  that  oceans  toss, 
A  bulwark  that  doth  vision  bar, 

And  screens  her  penury  and  loss. 

For  war  and  famine; — fiends  of  death, 
Sent  forth  by  the  oppressor's  hand, 

Have  breathed  destructive  sulphurous  breath, 
And  fever-blight  on  every  land. 

If  from  their  wreckage  grim  and  drear 
Such  wondrous  beauty,  skill  hath  wrought, 

How  would  earth's  opulence  appear 

Had  Peace  and  Freedom  aided  thought. 


PEACE  OFFERINGS  A  T  THE  EXPOSITION.       I 

Had  they  with  gentle  mother-heart, 

Instructed  in  the  life  sublime, 
What  wealth  of  Genius,  Toil  and  Art 

Would  teem  to-day  in  every  clime. 

Long  ages  ere  the  midnight  choir 
That  sweet  momentous  message  bore; 

Isaiah  said  with  tongue  of  fire, 
That  nations  should  learn  war  no  more. 

Their  weapons  beaten  out  and  changed 
To  implements  for  bough  and  sod; 

Then  man  no  longer  strife  estranged 
Might  walk  within  the  light  of  God. 

Yet  after  crimson  lapse  of  years, 

Fringed  by  the  so-called  Christian  reign; 

With  smoke,  flame,  flood  and  quenchless  tears 
All  unfulfilled  the  words  remain. 

To-day  there  is  no  nation  ripe; 

Yet,  there  are  workers  tried  and  true 
Who  strive  with  zeal  of  every  type 

The  vast  millennial  work  to  do. 

Yea,  they  who  in  the  name  of  Peace 

Bring  pruning-hooks,  and  plough  and  bell, 

Would  see  the  Bethlehem  light  increase 
O'er  fields  of  snow-white  asphodel. 

For  needy  sufferers  that  abide   . 

Would  bid  rich  ambient  harvests  wave, 
And  thus  remember  side  by  side 

The  home  of  life  and  soldier's  grave. 

Oh,  who  of  all  the  motely  line 
That  thither  crowd,  shall  know  or  feel 

The  import  of  the  Day-Dawn  Shrine 
Whose  incense  would  the  nations  heal  ? 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Or  who  will  prize  the  wedge  of  worth, 
The  ploughshare  fashioned  from  the  swords, 

That  shall  upturn  the  glad  new  earth, 
When  Christians  own,  it  is  the  Lord's  ? 

The  prunftig-hooks  must  thought  prepare, 

Strong  as  the  cedars  of  the  hill, 
Till  growth  of  wisdom  all  can  share, 

In  fruitage  of  parental  will. 

Yea,  they  must  cut  the  deadly  bane, 
The  branches  of  the  strange  wild  vine, 

Till  earth  can  bear  on  every  plane 
Fair  clusters,  dropping  heavenly  wine. 

When  Christians  turn  from  compromise 
To  their  own  law  with  peace  agleam, 

This  war-cursed  earth  will  realize, 
The  angel's  song,  and  prophets'  dream. 


"AT  LAST." 

TO  JOHN   G.    WHITTIKR,    FRIEND  AND   POET. 

CNTERED  at  last  "the  humble  door"  and  mansions 
C  blest, 

"  The  sheltering  shade  "  and  calm  retreat  from  earth's 
unrest. 

And  found  beside  the  silvery  tide  where  strivings 

cease, 

The  "green  expansions,"  of  eternal  love  and  peace. 
In  strains  seraphic  heard  "the  new  and  holy  song," 
And  "'neath  the  healing  trees,"  oh,  may  thy  rest  b« 

long. 


BRYANT. 


155 


The  soulful  lays  of  by-gone  years  remain  to  bless; 
Sweet  benediction  of  thy  life  of  righteousness. 

O  poet-heart!  through  eons  past  thy  mould  was  cast, 
In  full  perfection's  glory  wrought  to  shine  at  last. 

The  star  of  heavenly  poesy,  the  peerless  gem, 
That  glistens  in  the  world's  immortal  diadem. 


BRYANT. 

T  ONG  hushed  the  voice  that  tuned  the  hymns  of 

praise; 

Folded  the  hands  that  touched  the  lyre  of  song; 
The  heart  that  burned  with  inspiration  strong 

Beats  now  to  rhythm  of  immortal  lays. 

His  was  the  giant's  strength  of  earlier  days, 

He  shared  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  life's  throng, 
And,  battling  bravely  'gainst  the  tide  of  wrong 

He  strove  to  lead  mankind  in  perfect  ways. 

Across  his  sunset  gleamed  the  bars  of  gold, 
And  purple  fringed  was  every  changing  cloud 
That  wove  for  him  the  royal,  kindly  shroud, 

That  wrapped  his  noble  form  within  its  fold. 
A  garland  fair  all  nature  for  him  weaves 
While  tribute  true  his  memory  receives. 


156  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


HAZEL  BLOSSOMS. 

I T  was  but  yesterday,  on  woodlands  wild 

The  sweet  brier  twined  its  strong  and  thorny  stem 

With  leaves  of  green,  and  set  its  blushing  gem 
Of  pink,  where  fell  the  shades  that  day  beguiled 
And  early  sunbursts  where  the  morning  smiled. 

But  now,  when  brown  leaves  skirt  the  forest's  hem, 

The  hazel  wears  its  tawny  diadem, 
And  follows  on,  a  lonely  pilgrim  child. 
Again  its  time  to  bloom  will  come  and  go, 

We  may  not  see  it  in  the  lonely  way, 
But,  in  that  love  which  bade  its  gold  to  blow 

Along  the  flowerless  paths  in  autumn  gray; 
We  can,  like  it,  though  late,  a  chaplet  bring, 
And  lay  upon  life's  shrine,  an  offering. 


THE  DAISIES. 

\A7  HEN  the  sun  is  bright  and  warmest, 

When  the  sky  is  richest  blue, 
When  the  rain-drops  come  the  clearest, 
And  the  gentlest  falls  the  dew, 

Come  the  lovely  little  daisies, 

Treasures  of  the  flower  god, 
Living  beauties  of  the  meadow, 

Scattered  freely  o'er  the  sod. 

See  them!  fairy  queens  of  nature, 
Wearing  crowns  of  pearl  and  gold, 

Nodding  to  the  balmy  zephyr — 
Who  their  casting  would  remould  ? 


THE  DAISIES. 


157 


One  might  wonder  which  reflected, 

Earth  beneath,  or  vaulted  sky, 
Whether  daisy-land  was  mirrored 

Or  the  star-realm  far  and  high. 

But  be  that  all  true  or  fancy, 

We  do  love  the  little  things, 
Everywhere  the  earth  rejoices, 

Every  heart  with  gladness  rings. 

Little  insects  kiss  their  petals, 

Bees  hum  out  their  welcome  tune, 

Bobolinks  and  birds  full  many 
Sing  the  praise  of  daisy  June. 

Oft  these  happy  birds  so  deftly 
Steal  their  locks  of  jeweled  hair 

With  which  they  build,  and  thatch  an  awning 
For  the  wee  ones  of  their  care. 

O  ye  graceful  little  blossoms 

Mid  the  ripe,  red  berry  vines, 
With  your  faces  turned  to  heaven, 

Where  the  sun  so  brightly  shines, 

Teach  us  to  be  free  and  lowly, 

Teach  us  how  to  live  and  grow, 
Tell  us  by  your  silent  motion, 

Every  good  thing  that  you  know. 

Tell  us  of  the  light  and  shadow, 

Tell  us  of  your  hiding  place, 
Nor  forget  for  one  bright  summer 

To  reveal  your  wondrous  grace. 


158  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


WHEAT. 

C  OFT  golden  billows  on  the  sunny  plain, 

Now  ebbing,  and  now  flowing  like  a  tide, 
Or  resting  on  the  sloping  mountain  side. 
Now  singing  to  the  patter  of  the  rain, 
Now  whispering  of  heaven's  fair  domain, 
Where  dwelleth  rarest  beauty  far  and  wide; 
Riches  far  more  than  gold  within  thee  hide, 
Thou  swaying,  whispering,  singing  golden  grain; 
For  thee  our  hearts  are  rilled  with  gratitude, 
And  thou  art  found  in  all  the  haunts  of  men, 

Making  the  circle  of  the  earth  complete. 
We  look  on  thee  as  God's  beatitude, 
The  universal  manna  come  again; 
The  Father  sends  His  blessing  on  the  wheat. 


A  HAPPY  MOOD. 

I  WOULD  laugh  with  the  rippling  rivulet, 

I  would  join  in  the  bird's  glad  tune, 
Like  dews  distill  doth  joy  upfill 
These  sunny  airs  of  June. 

O,  bliss  of  unbounded  loveliness! 

What  charms  hath  nature  wrought, 
My  fancies  fly  with  the  clouds  on  high, 

Freighted  with  joyous  thought. 

The  flowerets  wave  in  rhythmic  time 

And  song  fills  the  balmy  air; 
E'en  the  forest  trees  whisper  matinees, 

As  soft  as  an  angel's  prayer. 

I  fancy  I  hear  the  grasses  rise 

On  the  wing  of  the  solar  ray; 
While  the  budlets  ope  to  a  wider  scope, 

In  the  fresh,  free  light  of  day. 


GOD  IS  EVERYWHERE. 

My  heart  is  glad  in  this  vernal  time, 

For  music  and  joy  are  here; 
New  gifts  arise  like  sweet  surprise 

As  if  from  a  fairy  sphere. 

And  another  thought  wells  up  within, 

As  my  eyes  new  beauties  see, 
With  wisdom  fraught,  are  all  things  wrought 

O  Infinite  Deity. 


-*- 


159 


THE  MEADOW-LARK. 

/^UT  in  the  fields  where  like  billows  of  gold, 

The  harvests  now  swells  and  ebbs  like  the  sea, 

Where  the  bright  brook  in  its  merriest  glee 
Laughingly  plays  with  the  pebbles  that  hold 
The  mysteries  told  to  the  muses  of  old 

Lights  the  glad  lark  on  the  grasses  so  free, 

While  swinging  and  singing  so  cheerily 
Its  musical  notes  that  can  not  be  told. 
Oft,  happy  bird,  have  we  heard  thy  glad  tune 

So  charmingly  sung,  while  breezes  at  play 
Kept  time  to  thy  song  each  fair  day  at  noon, 

While  through  the  windharp  the  branches  would  say 
"  All  nature  is  joyous  while  yet  it  is  June, 

But  soon  'twill  depart  with  its  sweet  roundelay." 

* 


GOD  IS  EVERYWHERE. 

IN  breast  of  earth  what  wondrous  treasures  lie! 

What  affluence  of  beauty  and  delight! 
And  how  man  seeks  them  with  his  mind  and  might. 

Deep  beds  of  gems,  entrancing  to  the  eye; 

Diamonds  whose  brilliance  no  glitter  can  outvie, 
And  rubies  glowing  with  a  crimson  light, 
Emeralds  dipped  in  spring's  new  verdure  bright, 

And  sapphires  holding  azure  of  the  sky. 


j6o  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  topaz  blazoned  with  the  golden  gleam, 
And  like  the  blushes  of  the  morning  beam 

Behold  the  purple  amethyst  so  fair. 
Who  tinged  below  this  crystal  dust  ?  who  wrought 
These  lucid  drops?     'Twas    God.     His    power  and 
thought 

Are  truly  manifested  everywhere. 


PHYSICAL  RESURRECTION. 

T  S  this  temple — painful  prison — 

With  its  throbbing  bolts  and  bars, 
All  the  dwelling  of  the  spirit, 

When  redeemed  from  earth-made  scars  ? 
Shall  the  body  be  triumphant  ? 

Shall  this  accident  of  sin 
Make  or  shape  the  life  eternal, 

Clog,  or  give  us  power  to  win  ? 
Shall  the  humpback,  and  the  cripple, 

And  the  dwarf,  diseased  and  lame, 
Take  their  bodies,  somewhat  bettered, 

But  essentially  the  same  ? 
Shall  the  soul  that  hid  its  evil 

In  a  beauteous  form  of  clay, 
Still  unchanged  and  undiscovered, 

Dwell  in  heaven's  unclouded  day? 
Shall  the  face  that  screened,  and  shaded 

Feelings  tender,  deep  and  true, 
Mask  the  soul  that  toiled  and  suffered 

For  a  life  and  spirit  new  ? 
All  things  in  the  Lord  are  perfect; 

Accidents  are  not  of  Him; 
They  belong  to  earth's  confusion, 

To  our  own  preceptions,  dim. 


PHYSICAL  RESURRECTION. 

If  \ve  seek  the  heavenly  portion 

Of  the  meek  in  heart,  and  pure, 
God  will  mark  our  earnest  travel, 

Bless,  and  make  our  treasure  sure. 
Then  the  soul  shall  dwell  in  victory, 

Far  above  the  body's  fate, 
And  be  seen  undimmed,  unshadowed, 

In  its  true  and  perfect  state. 
If  we  feel  the  resurrection 

Of  the  spirit  day  by  day — 
Feel  the  power  of  God,  that  bears  us 

From  earth's  elements  away — 
Shall  our  thoughts  to  graveyards  center, 

When  our  loved  ones  are  set  free  ? 
Shall  we  give  our  loathsome  body 

All  our  wealth  of  sympathy  ? 
We  are  called  to  know  the  spirit, 

And  let  dust  to  dust  be  given; 
While  our  hearts,  with  love  unfailing, 

Find  their  kindred  hearts  in  heaven. 
O  how  pure  and  how  exalted, 

Is  the  faith  by  which  we're  taught! 
Through  the  door  of  Revelation, 

We  can  "see  what  God  hath  wrought." 
From  the  earth  he  made  the  mortal; 

But  he  never  marked  the  place: 
Why  should  we  of  death's  dark  portal 

Seek  or  leave  the  slightest  trace  ? 
Lay  my  frame  in  earth's  cold  bosom, 

When  my  spirit  takes  its  flight 
To  that  land,  where  fruit  and  blossom 

Never  suffer  frost  nor  blight; 
Not  on  stone,  or  sculptured  marble, 

Be  my  memory  ever  traced; 
But  from  hearts  that  hold  and  love  me, 

May  it  never  be  erased. 


162  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


TEACH  ME  TO  TRUST. 

'TIME'S  golden  sands  are  flowing,  one  by  one, 
Our  life  its  course  below  will  soon  have  run. 
Then  whither  wilt  thou  go  O  soul  divine? 
Where  are  the  realms  of  day,  in  which  thou'lt  shine  ? 
What  subtle  power  controls  thy  destiny? 
Why  wrap  thy  future  life  in  mystery? 
"  Enough  to  know  is  given,"  a  voice  replies, 
"  Prepare  thy  soul  for  heaven,"  the  spirit  cries! 
Then  trusting,  I  will  wait,  and  hopeful  be. 
For  1  know  the  angel's  love  rests  over  me. 
And  though  my  path  may  lead  up  mountains  steep, 
The  hand  that  guards  all  life,  will  guide  my  feet. 
And  I  shall  learn  through  faith,  that  hand  is  ju'-t; 
O  blessed  light  of  heaven,  teach  me  to  trust! 


THE  MOUNTAIN  LAKE. 

LJ  OW  calm  and  still  this  dear  lake  seems, 
Shut  mirror-like  from  all  things  rude, 
As  we  are  sometimes  clasped  in  dreams, 
Within  God's  great  beatitude. 

How  rise  the  towering  mountain  peaks, 
And  on  its  silvery  face  look  down; 

How  kindly  nature's  language  speaks 
From  lips  that  crimson  flushes  crown. 

No  sound  is  here  to  mar  the  peace, 
Save  insect's  hum  and  sweet  bird  note, 

And  may  these  melodies  increase; 
God's  message  comes  from  every  throat. 


LORD,  INCREASE  MY  FAITH. 

O  would  that  human  hearts  might  learn, 
The  fullsome  lessons  of  His  love, 

Nor  in  this  world  of  beauty  spurn 
The  things  we  hope  to  have  above. 

Behold  we  make  our  happy  sphere 
Our  under-world  as  well  create, 

The  true  elect  are  now,  and  here, 
There  is  no  partial  hand  in  fate. 

So  as  we  leave  this  peaceful  lake 
Where  sun  and  stars  and  clouds  look  in, 

We  feel  a  prayer  within  us  wake 

That  man  may  find  the  way  from  sin. 

That  he  may  find  the  bridge  that  spans 
The  lake  'twixt  God's  and  human  wills, 

And  trust  as  calmly  in  His  plans 
As  these  blue  waters  trust  the  hills. 


LORD,  INCREASE  MY  FAITH. 

I  ORD,  increase  my  faith, 
That  its  power  may  be 
A  light  to  shine  'mid  darkness, 

A  guiding  star  to  me. 
Though  ebon  clouds  hang  o'er  me, 

All  lesser  lights  grow  pale, 
Yet  faith's  unfailing  glory 

No  storm-clouds  can  assail. 

Lord,  increase  my  faith, 

My  heavenly  guide  'twill  be 
To  lead  o'er  trackless  waters 

Life's  foaming,  wave-tossed  sea. 
Oh!  what  am  I  without  it  ? 

A  wreck  upon  the  strand: 
My  faith,  my  sure  deliverer, 

Guides  with  unfaltering  hand. 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Lord,  increase  my  faith, 

May  it  gleam  a  beacon  ray, 
Pierce  through  the  midnight  shadows 

And  cheer  life's  stormy  way. 
When  fierce  the  tempest  rages, 

And  high  the  billows  roll, 
This  fadeless  light  from  heaven 

Reveals  the  shining  goal. 

Lord,  increase  my  faith, 

Its  power  is  strong  to  save, 
It  fills  my  heart  with  courage 

To  walk  upon  the  wave. 
My  star,  my  guide,  my  comfort 

I'll  follow  evermore; 
Through  it  I'll  brave  all  danger 

And  reach  the  heavenly  shore. 


THE  CIRCLE  OF  THE  YEAR. 

\A7ITH  magic  key  he  comes  to  ope 
Another  realm  for  us  to  tread, 
He  bears  a  shining  lamp  of  hope; 

A  crown  of  stars  is  on  his  head. 
All  silently  the  crystal  gate 

Swings  forward  on  the  field  of  snow; 
We  enter  as  by  power  of  fate 

And  list  its  closing,  soft  and  low. 

The  bridge  of  ice  that  spanned  the  moat 

Is  drawn  up  on  the  other  side; 
For  us  there  is  no  ferrying  boat, 

No  backward  wave  on  which  to  glide; 
But  footprints  even  now  are  seen, 

Time  waits  not  for  the  tardy  feet, 
But  onward  speeds  to  valleys  green, 

To  bloom  of  spring,  and  summer's  heat. 


THE  CIRCLE  OF  THE  YEAR. 

Then  to  the  rainbow  of  the  land, 

The  season  born  of  sun  and  frost, 
Whose  half-bewildering  glories  stand 

Like  sunset  clouds  on  nature  tossed. 
But  naught  alluring  can  prevail, 

Though  flaming  leaves  his  pathway  strew, 
He  presses  for  the  snowy  vale 

Where  once  again  his  life  is  new. 
And  as  we  contemplate  his  round, 

And  view  the  miracles  that  rise, 
What  lessons  for  our  lives  abound! 

What  wisdom  that  should  make  us  wise! 

It  is  for  all  to  work  with  zeal 

Against  the  curse  that  bringeth  death; 
It  is  for  all  to  gain  and  feel 

The  power  of  the  Almighty's  breath. 
That  power  that  made  a  living  soul 

Of  him  who  was  a  mass  of  clay, 
Is  needed  like  the  winds,  to  roll 

Over  humanity  to-day. 

By  revelation's  light  we  read, 

The  grand  old  myths  and  draw  their  worth; 
See  God  has  spread  the  Spirit  seed 

Through  all  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
The  deathless  seed  of  love's  own  vine 

That  shall  in  brotherhood  appear, 
With  clustered  branches  that  entwine 

To  give  the  earth  its  new  New  Year. 


j66  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


JANUARY. 

/^LD  Time  moves  on,  nor  once  forgets  to  bring 
^^     The  pearly  days,  the  brightest  of  the  year; 

Starred  crystals,  diamond  lights  and  glowing  cheer. 
The  silent  hills,  where  in  the  leafy  spring 
Amid  the  trees,  the  birds  so  sweetly  sing, 

Are  clad  in  whiteness  which  could  not  appear 

Imperfect  in  the  holy  angel  sphere; 
Resplendent  beauty  gladdens  everything; 
The  wanton  ways  of  wind  and  freakish  frost 

Perhaps  make  havoc  where  the  clear  sun  shone, 
But  there  is  pleasure  in  the  flake-cloud  tossed, 

And  music  echoes  in  the  wild  wind  tone; 
And  like  bright  chandeliers  from  heaven  lost 

Seem  all  the  pendant  ice  in  sunlight  grown. 


FEBRUARY. 

'T'HE  sun  begins  to  shed  a  warmer  glow, 

Yet  piercing    winds  sweep  down   with   wailing 
cries, 

Each  northern  blast  the  southern  breeze  defies, 
A  virgin  whiteness  wraps  the  plains  below, 
The  pine-clad  hills  are  drifted  high  with  snow, 

The  frozen  meadows  and  the  frosty  skies, 

The  chilling  mists  which  in  the  valley  lies, 
Still  tells  that  winter  holds  its  grasp  below; 
The  days  begin  to  lengthen,  cheering  thought! 

Ah!  did  I  hear  a  whisper  'neath  the  snow? 

The  stir  of  seed-buds  in  their  beds  below? 
The  merry  tinkle  of  the  stream  I  caught. 
Despite  the  rimy  airs  the  north  winds  bring, 
We  wait  the  wondrous  miracle  of  Spring. 


APRIL. 


MARCH. 

]V[  OW  are  the  days  that  winds  blow  fierce  and  high, 
Now  are  the  days  that  quick  revolving  snows 

Give  merry  chase  to  winter  as  he  goes. 
Behold  the  sun's  long  glowing  in  the  sky, 
It  heralds  beauties  coming  bye  and  bye; 

Fair  May-times  silvery  bloom  and  June's  red  rose, 

When  every  brook  shall  ripple  as  it  flows, 
And  verdant  meadows  gladden  every  eye. 
But  now  yEolus  rules  the  upper  air,  ' 

He  tosses  up  the  storms,  with  clouds  he  plays. 
When  his  reign  passes,  bright  Aurora  fair 

Will  usher  in  the  lovely  golden  days. 
But  hasten  not  away  light  frisky  gales, 
The  pleasure  that  you  give  us  never  fails. 


APRIL. 

\A7ITH  dripping  locks  and  face  with  tears  bedewed, 
Sweet  April  comes  with  calm  and  passive  will, 

To  soften  earth  and  gentle  dews  distil, 
Till  germs  upspring  with  inner  life  renewed. 
Loud  caws  the  crow,  its  welcome  a  prelude 

The  mellow  notes,  that  soon  o'er  vale  and  hill 

The  choristers  of  nature's  choir  shall  trill 
To  burst  the  bonds  of  wintry  solitude. 
Anon  she  smiles,  and  rends  the  veil  of  mist 

That  formed  in  shadows  dark  around  her  brow; 
Light  shades  with  emerald  and  amethyst 

The  garland  earth  is  weaving  for  her  now; 
Bespeaking  joy  the  heart  can  not  resist, 

She  rests  in  beauty  'neath  her  early  vow. 


168  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


MAY. 

""THE  diamond  snow-wreaths  from  the  hills  she  takes, 
And  carpets  all  the  fields  with  soft  green  plush, 

With  rich  embroidery  of  blossom-blush. 
She  calls,  and  hark!  the  matin  choir  awakes, 
The  pearl-shades  melt  and  golden  glory  breaks. 

She  laughs,  and  happy  crystal  fountains  gush 

Like  silvery  ribbons  through  the  valley's  hush, 
And  fair  her  face  when  mirrored  in  the  lakes. 
Upon  her  warm  air-ripples  soft  flecks  play 

As  do  the  mermaids  on  the  ocean's  crest; 
She  swings  her  censer  through  the  whole  glad  day — 

Her  fragrance-gift  is  sweetest  and  the  best. 
Her  sunset  smiles,  star-fringe  and  moon-lit  gray 

Make  her  the  queen  whom  all  the  gods  have  blest. 


JUNE. 

C  AIR  June  is  here,  she  has  not  overslept, 

Or  dreamed  too  long  'neath  the  magnolia's  shade, 

But  tripping  through  the  southland  everglade, 
To  northern  clime  with  blithesome  spirit  stepped. 
With  cheek  of  ruddy  bloom  her  youth  hath  kept, 

Her  lips  are  wreathed  in  smiles  like  pearls  inlaid, 

She  wears  a  garland  of  sweet  rose-buds  made, 
And  in  her  path  by  odorous  breezes  swept 

The  wild  flowers  nod,  and  o'er  the  waving  grass 

A  welcome  murmur  seems  to  gently  pass. 
The  wood-nymphs  all  in  leafy  bowers  convene, 

A  happy  chant  the  songsters  swell  enmasse, 
The  hills  and  vales  in  gala  robes  are  seen, 

Glad  festival  for  summer's  beauteous  queen. 


AUGUST.  169 


JULY. 

TUNE  roses  languish  'neath  the  summer's  flush, 
Red  berries  shrivel  for  the  lack  of  rain; 

Yet  taller  grow  the  ripening  fields  of  grain 
Where  rhythmic  breezes  break  the  noonday  hush. 
The  sun-kissed  cherries  deepen  now  their  blush, 

And  robin  red-breast  counts  it  all  his  gain, 

Nor  boy,  nor  bird,  their  appetites  restrain, 
But  share  their  spoils  with  mirth  and  music's  gush. 
Now  clicks  the  mower  through  the  daisied  mead, 

And  lowly  lies  the  plumed  and  seeded  grass; 
The  grazing  herds  in  quiet  pastures  feed, 
And  from  the  flowing  brook  supply  their  need; 

Soft  shadows  o'er  the  landscape  quickly  pass, 
For  clouds,  rain-freighted,  on  their  mission  speed. 


AUGUST. 

CALMLY  we  wait  while  evening's  gate  unbars, 
^•^     And  watch  the  Virgin  beautiful  and  fair 

Climb  noiselessly  her  temple's  mystic  stair. 
Trained  knights  guard  her  around,  their  scimitars 
Are  diamond-set,  and  bear  no  battle  scars, 

No  crimson  stains,  no  emblems  of  despair. 

But  hark!  her  messenger  is  in  the  air, 
Bearing  to  earth  the  edict  of  the  stars; 
Kind  Nature  welcomes  the  auspicious  guest. 

She  decks  the  land  with  emerald  and  gold, 

And  brings  out  all  her  gems  to  grace  the  scene, 
And  while  the  music  floats  from  east  to  west, 

She  gathers  all  her  treasures  manifold 

And  sends  her  compliments  to  summer's  queen. 


170  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


SEPTEMBER. 

r^  AY-hearted  harvester,  we  know  thy  worth. 
^•^     The  loaded  cornucopia  of  time 

Lets  fall  its  bounteous  blessings  on  our  clime; 
When  thou  in  splendor  walkest  through  the  earth, 
The  happy  huskers  with  their  songs  of  mirth, 

The  boys  who  pluck  the  fruit  to  cheerful  chime, 

With  wayward  notes  and  merry-making  rhyme 
Feel  life  anew.     There  is  no  sign  of  dearth, 
While  high  in  heaven's  etheral  vault,  behold 

Justice,  thy  sister,  with  her  starry  scales 

Weighing  with  steady  hand  earth's  harvest  yield; 
And  from  her  mints  kind  nature  brings  her  gold, 

Stamped  with  the  true  inscription  that  prevails, 
And  sends  her  creditors  through  wood  and  field. 


OCTOBER. 

/MOST  royal  season  of  the  rich,  round  year! 

'We  greet  thee  with  a  heart  filled  full  of  praise, 

Nor  cease  to  love  thee  through  thy  course  of  days. 
High  in  the  sunlit  ether,  sweet  and  clear 
The  glowing  maples'  flaming  flags  appear, 

And  O,  the  glory  of  the  golden  blaze 

In  myriad  forms  that  meets  our  tireless  gaze; 
The  crown  of  all  things  beautiful  is  here. 
O,  bright  October!  fresh  with  generous  zeal, 

Thy  gifts  like  willing  showers  fall  at  our  feet, 
We  take  them,  but  to  Him  who  hears  appeal 

And  prayer,  we  lift  our  thanks  and  love  most  sweet. 
They  to  whose  lives,  these  joys  may  not  reveal 

Have  lost  a  good  that  makes  true  life  complete. 


DECEMBER. 


171 


NOVEMBER. 

MOVEMBER  comes  upon  us  unawares, 

His  seeming  frown  has  cast  the  hills  in  doubt, 

And  all  the  gay  lights  of  the  woods  are  out. 
O,  not  for  him  the  hand  the  scepter  bears, 
A  jeweled  cross  is  on  his  breast,  he  wears 

The  crystal  rosary,  a  monk  devout, 

With  glittering  cowl  of  snow  drawn  close  about; 
He  offers  for  the  year  its  dying  prayers. 
'Tis  not  with  cruel  smile  he  mocks  the  flowers, 

His  is  a  blessed  mandate  manifold; 
'Tis  his  to  stay  their  bloom  for  summer  hours 

And  bring  us  blossoms  from  the  winter's  cold; 
Garlands  of  frost-work  hang  above  his  head, 
And  diamonds  scintillate  where  he  doth  tread. 


DECEMBER. 

T  AST  but  not  least  dear  month,  why  call  thee  sad  ? 

Is  it  because  the  blue-winged  days  are  o'er, 
And  snow-paved  ways  have  led  us  to  thy  door  ? 

The  temple  of  thy  grace  makes  my  heart  glad. 

I  love  thy  long  white  aisles  all  crystalled  through, 
The  holly-room  where  holy  blessings  flow, 
And  marble  altars  draped  with  mistletoe, 

All  with  divinest  service  rendered  new. 

I  love  thy  zephyr-harps  so  low  and  sweet, 
The  fullness  of  thy  organ's  richest  blast, 

Thy  "  peace,  good  will  to  man  "  in  soul  replete, 

That  as  thy  offering  angel  choirs  repeat. 
And  as  a  friend  when  all  the  rest  are  past, 
I  love  thee,  dearest  month,  though  thou  art  last. 


172 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


YEAR  OF  LIFE. 

C  HADOWS  short'ning  by  the  way, 
Shadows  length'ning  out  again, 
And  we  say  'tis  early  day, 
And  we  say  the  night  is  then. 


Dewy  violets  in  the  grass, 
Flowing  sands  are  moving  slow, 

By  the  measured  hour-glass, 
All  the  flowers  of  childhood  blow. 

Greenness  climbing  on  the  wall, 

Hanging  scarlet  clusters  out, 
Summer  brooding  over  all 

Flings  her  jewels  round  about. 

Spotless  lily-cups  with  tears, 

Through  the  summer  days  are  wrought, 
Joy  drops  for  the  early  years, 

Tears  for  those  with  sorrow  frought. 

Changed  the  flush  of  summer  sky, 
Golden  light  and  silvery  mist, 

Now  the  distant  mountains  lie 
In  a  haze  of  amethyst. 

Golden-rod  upon  the  hill, 

Aster  buds  to  purple  blown, 
Gentian  glories  now  distill, 

Hazels  waiting  sad  and  lone. 

Changing  woods  'neath  autumn's  touch, 
Russett  green  and  amber-massed, 

Age  glows  in  the  wealth  of  such, 
And  life's  sands  are  flowing  fast. 


THE  CROWS'  LECTURE. 

Frost-work  'neath  the  cold  moonbeams, 
Flakes,  and  pearls,  and  clear  starlight, 

Purified  the  winter  seems 
In  its  robe  of  changeless  white. 

Crimson  roses  in  their  bloom, 
Climbing  over  childhood's  door, 

Snowy  roses  on  the  tomb, 
And  we  say  time  is  no  more. 


173 


THE  CROWS'  LECTURE. 

FOR   THE   CHILDREN. 

""THE  day  was  oppressive  the  noontime  was  passed. 
And  silence  that  spell-bound  the  leaves  of  the 

trees 

Slipped  down  to  the  glen  where  blue  shadows  were 
cast 

And  closed  with  her  fingers  the  lips  of  the  breeze. 
Just  then  in  the  Northwoods  a  clamor  I  heard, 

'Twas  from  a  convention  of  crows, 
That  seemed  to  be  talking  of  something  absurd, 

Or  largely  dilating  on  woes. 
They  all  spoke  at  once,  "  'tis  the  natural  way 

For  birds  and  for  mortals  "  I  thought; 
"Till  each  one's  importance  has  had  some  display 

No  order  or  peace  can  be  wrought." 
And  yet  of  their  jargon  I  nothing  could  know, 

Though  each  shouted  loudly  her  caws, 
Till  one  with  the  famous  "sweet  voice  of  a  crow  " 

Came  forth  to  elicit  applause. 
She  spoke  of  the  hardships  they  had  to  pass  through, 

Of  strings,  traps  and  guns  out  of  sight, 
And  then  such  a  picture  of  Scare-  Crows  she  drew 

That  they  all  screamed  aloud  with  affright. 


174 


^fOr.\T  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


She  spoke  of  the  frail,  trembling  Dove  with  the  leaf 

When  waves  sought  in  vain  for  a  shore, 
And  declared  that  the  Raven  had  found  the  first  reef 

And  "  returned  to  the  ark  nevermore." 
She  went  on  still  further  for  ancestral  good, 

And  pleasantly  over  she  told 
How  the  Lord  sent  the  Raven  to  carry  out  food 

To  Elijah  the  Prophet  of  old 
She  said,  "  It  is  written,  He  heareth  the  cries. 
And  the  needs  of  the  hungry  young  Raven  supplies;" 
Then  scornfully  added,  "  It  is  my  opinion 
That  must  have  occurred  before  man  had  dominion. 
E'er  Adam  in  Eden  departed  from  law, 
His  soul  had  a  knowledge  of  all  that  he  saw; 
And  when  for  renewal  each  bird  and  beast  came, 
Divining  its  nature,  he  gave  it  a  name. 
But  man  the  usurper,  remorseless,  severe, 
What  black  sins  have  filled  up  his  lengthened  career; 
God's  most  gentle  creatures  now  timid  and  wild 
Instinctively  shrink  from  the  steps  of  a  child. 
Each  brave,  noble  beast  is  ferocious  and  shy, 
Yet  man  with  his  cruelty  these  can  outvie. 
But  now  to  return  to  our  own  special  state, 
Some  items  of  interest  I'll  strive  to  relate. 
Our  spotless  complexion  is  subject  of  talk, 
And  prejudice  spurns  it  in  every  walk, 
The  foot  too,  whose  beauty  we  know  nothing  lacks 
Has  man's  hideous  scrawling  compared  to  its  tracks. 
Though  we  are  not  strong,  we're  ingenious  we  know; 
fust  think  of  the  tale  of  the  Pitcher  and  Crow, 
The  Pitcher  had  water,  the  Crow  could  not  get  it, 
In  vain  were  her  efforts  to  turn  or  upset  it. 
3he  filled  it  with  pebbles  and  soon  at  the  brink 
The  cool  bubbling  waters  afforded  her  drink, 
We  find  her  condemned  for  the  wonderful  skill 
That  picks  out  the  worm  from  the  corn-planted  hill. 
For  she,  unlike  humming-bird,  squirrel  or  bee, 
Must  not  gather  food  from  the  field  or  the  tree. 


THE  CROWS'  LECTL'KE. 


175 


To  illustrate  poverty  man  does  not  know 

A  more  fitting  maxim  than  '  Poor  as  a  crow.' 

And  yet  I  have  thought  that  in  some  kind  of  weathers, 

He  might  have  been  richer  in  garments  of  feathers. 

But  he  is  no  judge  of  how  pleasant  they  are, 

He  so  seldom  wears  them  except  over  tar. 

Unprincipled  foxes  have  stolen  our  cheese 

And  left  us  to  chant  the  unmusical  keys. 

When  we  shall  have  sustenance  earth  shall  resound 

With  our  unceasing  melody  all  the  year  round, 

And  e'er  we  accomplish  this  one  wished  for  thing 

'Tis  moved  in  Convention  that  each  one  shall  sing. 

And  when  we  obtain  all  the  '  Rights '  that  we  know 

'  Twill  be  demonstrated  a  Crow  is  a  Crow. ' ' 

The  speaker  concluded;  the  burst  of  applause 

Exceeded  in  volume  man's  shouts  and  hurrahs. 

And  while  they  dispersed  o'er  the  brow  of  the  hill, 

Their  voices  continued  most  vigorously  shrill. 

Two  things  they  accomplish  at  once  it  appears, 

They  both  shock  the  "  glottis  "  and  my  hapless  ears. 

As  in  the  far  distance  died  out  every  sound, 

I  woke  from  my  revery  long  and  profound. 

'Twas  Fancy  interpreted  all  that  I  heard 

And  put  into  form  the  wild  speech  of  the  bird, 

But  my  heart  felt  within  a  deep  pity  arise 

For  the  black  speck  that  oft  pierced  the  cold  leaden 

skies; 

When  I've  sat  in  peace  at  a  bountiful  meal 
I've  seen  the  poor  Crow  through  the  wild  tempest  reel, 
And  thought  when  with  mankind  we  live  in  true  peace, 
The  terror  of  us  will  in  wild  creatures  cease. 
And  they'll  come  in  their  need  to  the  grain-barn  and 

mill, 

Confidingly  seek  e'en  the  dwelling  door-sill; 
And  from  our  abundance  we  nothing  shall  miss, 
But  we'll  find  in  our  spirits  a  new  source  of  bliss; 
For  God's  love  will  be,  as  an  unfailing  fountain, 
When  none  shall  bring  fear  into  His  holy  mountain. 


176 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  ROUGHS. 


CONTENTMENT. 

LJ  ERDS  in  the  full  rich  pasture  lying 

'Neath  the  oak  tree's  shade; 
Flocks  of  white  doves  homeward  hieing 
Where  their  nests  are  made. 

Lambs  on  the  verdant  hillside  bleating, 

When  the  sheep  are  shorn; 
Bees  in  the  ruddy  clover  meeting, 

In  the  dewy  morn. 

Birds  when  the  springtime  work's  completed, 

In  the  old  elm  tree, 
Happy  songs  so  oft  repeated, 

Thrill  with  melody. 

Squirrels  out  on  a  nut  excursion, 

Winter's  store  to  fill, 
Swallows  out  for  a  day's  diversion 

Over  vale  and  hill. 

Buzz  of  insects  ceaseless  winging, 

Crickets  on  the  hearth; 
Harvest  locusts  gaily  singing, 

Old-time  songs  of  mirth. 

Meadows  trimmed  with  bright  eyed  daisies 

Tossing  white  wreathed  heads; 
Full  plumed  fields  of  wheaten  mazes 

Bound  in  golden  threads. 

Ripening  ears  in  tall  corn  hiding, 

Wrapped  in  silken  fold; 
Silvery  streams  by  waysides  gliding 

Gladdening  wood  and  wold. 

Earth  with  life  and  beauty  teeming, 

Joy  and  peace  combine, 
Pulsing  warm,  in  day-tide  dreaming, 

Sweet  content  enshrine. 


THE  BIRD  LEGISLA  TORS. 

Man  alone  through  turmoil  pressing 

Never  seems  at  rest, 
And  though  placed  in  midst  of  blessing 

Always  seems  unblest. 


THE  BIRD  LEGISLATOR. 

I   LOVE  the  dear  birds  O,  ever  so  well 

Indeed  I  could  never  begin  to  tell 
The  feeling  of  pleasure  upfilling  me 
Whenever  I  think  of  them,  hear  or  see. 

I  never  had  thought  that  birds  could  do  wrong, 
I  thought  their  lives  were  lives  of  sweet  song, 
That  flitting  about  'mid  beauty  and  light, 
Of  course  they  couldn't  do  else  but  right. 

But  I  changed  my  mind  one  bright  May  day, 
Was  filled  with  astonishment  I  must  say, 
To  see  what  seemed  like  a  selfish  thought 
In  a  tiny  bird  brain  well  outwrought. 

The  air  was  clear  and  the  breezes  warm, 
And  I  sat  in  the  midst  of  the  happy  calm 
Watching  a  bird  on  the  telephone  pole 
Making  best  friends  with  an  oriole. 

He  was  just  the  shade  of  a  bit  of  blue  sky, 
The  color  that  always  so  pleases  my  eye, 
I  thought  that  a  bird  so  daintily  dressed 
Was  as  pretty  a  thing  as  the  earth  possessed. 


177 


But  he  sat  in  his  wonted  place  too 
And  herein  consisted  his  notable  n 
While  the  wee  lady  strove  with  all  her  might 
To  make  a  home  for  the  oncoming  night. 

I  thought  of  the  men,  the  "conference  "  men, 
Who  sat  in  converse  from  now  till  then; 


178  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

How  the  women  could  toil  in  the  self-same  hall 
Hanging  new  paper  all  over  the  wall, 

They  could  stretch,  pull  and  strain  the  live  long  day, 
"Such  work  was  easy  "  the  men,  said  they, 
"  But  the  women  arc  far  too  weak  and  fair 
To  .si/and  speak  in  conference  there." 

Just  so  this  bird  sat  perched,  proud  and  prim, 
The  trouble  of  labor  came  not  to  him, 
Chatting  as  ever  all  men  love  to  do 
With  never  a  sign  of  once  getting  through, 

At  the  same  time  watching  with  calm  content 
The  frail  lady  bird  as  she  came  and  went 
Carrying  straws  three  times  her  length — 
But  the  stronger  bird  conserved  his  strength. 

Perhaps  he  was  wise  as  most  wise  men  are, 
But  he  gave  to  the  woman  her  rights  too  far, 
Her  rights  as  designer  and  work  the  whole, 
But  the  funds  he  kept  under  his  own  control. 

Although  much  engaged  in  the  "suffrage  cause" 
He  still  thought  it  better  to  make  up  the  laws, 
To  call  in  all  parties,  the  martin  and  crow, 
Robin  and  sparrow — all  men  folks  you  know, 

And  handle  life's  subjects  in  various  ways; 
Equality,  justice,  and  length  of  work  days; 
Such  things  are  too  rough  for  the  feminine  brain, 
So  they  do  this  hard  work  lest  the  women  complain. 

He  knew  he  was  kind  and  generous  too, 

I  knew  what  he  thought.  I  could  see  him  right  through, 

But  I  wished  that  lady  would  turn  her  about 

And  turn  ///;;/  within  and  she  rest  without. 

I  wished  all  the  weak  sex  would  rise  in  a  mass, 
And  all  politicians  were  sent  out  to  grass, 
Until  they  could  work  with  honest  good  wills, 
More  with  their  claws  and  less  with  their  bills. 


TRUTH. 


GUEST- ANGEL. 

|Wl  AKE  Truth  the  pure  guest-angel  of  thy  heart, 

Nor  walk  from  her  in  all  life's  ways  apart, 
Thy  chamber  halls  she  will  adorn  with  grace, 
And  give  each  ornament  a  fitting  place. 

Choose  well  thy  words  from  out  her  volume  rare, 
Whose  shining  pages  no  dark  symbols  bear, 
Chaste  and  refined,  clear  as  a  crystal  sea 
From  gross  exaggeration  wholly  free. 

If  all  thy  motives  to  her  court  appeal, 
Then  shall  each  act  be  stamped  with  heaven's  seal, 
And  no  deep  blot  life's  record  e'er  shall  mar, 
Or  from  angelic  peace  thy  soul  debar. 

Vain  imagery  of  every  worldly  charm, 
That's  framed  to  please,  yet  poison  holds  to  harm, 
Flees  from  the  glorious  presence  of  her  face, 
The  good  and  true  alone  win  her  embrace. 

Where'er  thy  footsteps  tend,  be  this  thy  prayer, 
"  O  Guardian  Spirit!  take  me  'neath  thy  care, 
And  let  no  shadow  intercept  thy  light, 
That  leadeth  ever  in  the  path  of  right." 

If  mirth  rise  high  on  pleasure's  airy  wing, 

Or  in  thy  heart  should  pain  and  sorrow  spring, 

Keep  by  thy  side  the  safeguard  of  thy  youth, 

This  bright  guest-angel, beauteous  heaven-born  Truth. 


TRUTH. 

T  'LL  wear  the  shield  of  truth  and  self-control, 
That  careless  words  that  fall  like  arrow's  dart, 

May  never  harm  my  soul. 
Then  sweetly  I  can  render  good  for  ill, 
And  love  shall  reach  and  soothe  the  erring  heart, 

And  echo  peace — good  will. 


!8o  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  ROUGHS. 


REVERENCE. 

I  DEEM  myself  but  some  poor  lifeless  clod 
Without  a  sense  of  homage  for  the  good; 

'Twere  better  e'en  to  bow  to  stone  or  wood 
Than  have  no  inner  consciousness  of  God. 
As  breath  of  spring  upon  earth's  frozen  sod 

Wakes  and  quickens  from  her  somber  mood, 

And  gladdens  e'en  the  dreariest  solitude, 
Where  grasses  wave  and  beauteous  flowers  nod; 
So  stir  the  living  forces  of  the  soul, 

And  dormant  powers  to  active  service  rise, 
When  love  infinite  holds  supreme  control 

And  all  unfolding  life  intensifies; 

Then  we  behold  with  truth  and  glad  surprise 

That  reverence  deep  all  goodness  underlies. 


SOLEMN  THOUGHTS. 

LJ  OW  lengthened  seems  each  passing  year 
As  memory  spreads  her  pictures  clear, 
And  brings  again  our  loved  ones  near 

From  the  celestial  shore. 
We  would  not  wish  them  to  remain 
To  undergo  earth's  grief  and  pain, 
Yet  joy  to  know  they  come  again 
To  greet  us  as  before. 

Our  mortal  life  is  fleeting  fast, 
Time's  pilgrimage  will  soon  be  past, 
Will  we  regret  to  leave  at  last 

This  tenement  of  clay  ? 
Yet  some  at  thought  of  death  have  fear, 
They  dread  its  presence  drawing  near, 
Terrestrial  joys  to  them  seem  dear, 

No  future  hope  have  they. 


SOLE^fN  THOUGHTS.  jgi 

Those  who  have  comforts  shared  below, 
And  felt  not  pangs  of  want  and  woe, 
Care  not  another  state  to  know, 

Nor  seek  for  purer  bliss. 
Yet  when  the  final  change  they  meet, 
They  find  their  heaven  is  incomplete, 
For  barren  paths  await  their  feet, 

As  they  have  walked  amiss. 

The  poor,  the  lowly  and  despised, 
Who  selfish  loves  have  sacrificed, 
Rejoice  in  bowers  emparadised 

And  xirtue's  ways  pursue. 

Adorned  with  flowers  that  bloom  through  prayer, 
The  fruits  of  blessing  grown  by  care, 
These  shall  the  upright  ever  share, 

Whose  souls  are  pure  and  true. 

The  Master,  by  love's  impulse  led, 
The  naked  clothed,  the  hungry  fed, 
Yet  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head 

In  Palestine's  fair  land. 
The  mount  he  sought  to  pray  and  fast, 
Till,  trials  and  temptations  past, 
Truth's  golden  heights  he  gained  at  last, 

The  home  where  victors  stand. 

Though  low  is  brought  our  nature  proud, 
And  deepest  griefs  our  way  enshroud, 
A  silver  lining  hath  the  cloud 

That  ofttimes  veils  the  goal. 
We  shrink  because  of  little  faith, 
The  change  to  life  we  think  is  death, 
Yet,  know  the  grave  no  triumph  hath, 

O'er  the  immortal  soul. 


MOUXT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


IMMORTALITY. 

IS  future  life  a  shadowy  dream, 

A  myth  that  puzzles  still  the  brain  ? 
Or,  closely  folded  as  a  ream 

Of  unwrit  leaves,  without  a  stain  ? 
Closed  volume  to  material  sense, 

That  governs  with  imperial  rod, 
And  brings  the  meager  recompense 

A  final  home  beneath  the  sod  ? 
*  *  *  The  soul  recoils;  a  secret  spark 

Flames  with  the  light  of  endless  day; 
No  longer  veiled  in  dungeon  dark, 

Or  screened  by  perishable  clay, 
It  rises  up  on  Hope's  bright  wing 
Of  immortality  to  sing. 

-*- 
UNBORN  POETRY. 

"  There  is  a  river  that  makes  glad  the  city  of  our  God." 

DASSING  over  the  river  is  not  to  die 

With  outstretched  limbs  in  state  to  lie, 
For  as  a  man  thinketh,  so  is  he, 
In  time  or  in  eternity. 

To  die  is  a  change  that  none  forego, 

The  peasant,  the  king,  the  friend  and  foe, 

Go  hastening  on  in  weal  and  woe, 

To  the  land  of  ghosts  which  none  may  know. 

Know  as  we  know  the  thines  of  earth, 
In  manhood,  youth,  and  back  to  birth. 
Mystery  of  mysteries  from  the  beginning! 
Why  do  we  live?  love?     Why  keep  on  sinning? 
Where  did  we  come  from  ?     Whither  go  we, 
Men,  women,  and  children,  bond  and  free  ? 


BEAUTIFUL  DAYS. 

To  die  is  not  to  pass  over  the  river, 
For  still  we  live,  live  on  forever, 
But  there  is  a  river  that's  never  dry 
That  none  may  pass  over  until  they  die, 
Die  to  the  life  that  reproduces 
The  race  of  man  without  abuses. 

The  end  has  come,  the  summer  has  ended, 
The  harvester  death,  with  life  is  blended. 
Life — eternal  life,  from  the  throne  of  God, 
The  Lamb  was  the  first,  the  first  who  trod 
The  banks  of  that  river — the  river  of  God. 


LOOK   UPWARD. 

T  OOK  upward,  e'en  tho'  trials  compass  thee 

And  clouds  hang  o'er  the  path  thy  feet  must  tread, 

And  doubts  and  fears  disturb  thy  heart  with  dread, 
O,  ever  trust,  and  watchful,  humble  be, 
And  from  temptation  thou  wilt  yet  be  free  ; 

By  waters  calm  and  sweet  thou  wilt  be  led, 

Thou  wilt  have  living  joy  in  sorrow's  stead, 
And  hope  will  gladden  thee  continually. 
All  hearts  must  know  vexation,  pain  and  grief, 

All  feet  must  walk  the  valley  dark  and  drear, 
But  thro'  God's  mercy  cometh  sweet  relief, 

His  love  hath  power  to  banish  every  fear  ; 
Look  upward  then,  and  thou  wilt  yet  behold, 
The  fadeless,  golden  light  of  heaven  unfold. 


BEAUTIFUL   DAY. 

VI  IGHT'S  silvery  stars  melt  in  morning's  soft  blushes, 
Her  dark  spectral  shadows  glide  noiseless  away, 
While  nature,  enwrapped  in  her  deep  silent  hushes, 
Awakes  to  the  call  of  the  beautiful  day. 


j84  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  light-hearted  songsters  mount  upward  in  gladness, 
And  trill  their  sweet  music  all  blithesome  and  gay  ; 

What  heart  could  respond  with  a  feeling  of  sadness  ? 
For  joy  crowns  the  beautiful,  beautiful  day  ! 

The  sun  gilds  the  crest  of  the  forest-clad  mountain, 
And  brightens  the  vale  where  the  early  mist  lay, 

From   woodland  and   meadow,    from    streamlet  and 

fountain, 
Come  voices  of  welcome  to  beautiful  day  ! 

From  flowers,  the  honey-dew  fragrance  ascending 
Is  wafted  along  by  the  breezes  at  play  ; 

Creations  of  beauty  around  us  are  blending 
In  praise  of  the  glory  of  beautiful  day  ! 

We  gratefully  share  of  life's  bounties  external, 
Which  come  like  a  day-dream,  nor  yet  come  to  stay  ; 

But  still  look  beyond  to  that  region  supernal, 
Where  beameth  forever  a  beautiful  day  ! 

The  forms  we  are  wearing,  the  scenes  we're  beholding, 
Are  subject  to  change  and  the  blight  of  decay ; 

But  germs  of  the  spirit,  God's  light  is  unfolding, 
To  bloom  in  eternity's  beautiful  day. 


SUNRISE. 

'THE  night  hath  furled  its  shadows,  from  on  high 
The  sun  pours  gladness  over  plain  and  hill  ; 
The  trembling  mists  that  distant  valleys  fill 
Are  luminous  with  light,  across  the  sky 
Like  phantom  ships,  white-winged  they  onward  fly. 
A  breath  of  fragrance,  glint  of  dew,  a  trill 
From  yonder  tree  ;  a  burst  of  joy,  a  thrill, 
Her  garment's  hem  we  touch  as  Morn  goes  by. 


DA  Y  DA  WN. 


185 


O  fair,  sweet  Morn  that  sunrise  always  brings  ! 

Thy  gleaming  mantle  holds  a  hope  impearled  ; 
Though  sorrow  spreads  her  dark  and  hovering  wings, 

We  wait  to  see  thy  curtains  bright  unfurled. 
For  out  of  night  the  laughing  morning  springs, 

And  there  is  sunrise  somewhere  round  the  world. 


DAY    DAWN. 

I N  the  still  hour  of  the  morning 

E're  the  light  began  to  shine, 
When  the  blush-rose  of  the  dawning 

Fluttered  to  the  silvery  line  ; 
When  the  silvery  line  expanded 

Changing  to  a  fan  of  gold, 
And  the  rising  mists  were  stranded 

As  the  glory  upward  rolled  ; 
Woke  I  then  from  peaceful  slumber 

To  review  a  darkened  earth, 
With  its  burdens  that  encumber, 

With  its  ignorance  and  dearth. 
Custom,  creed  and  superstition 

Form  the  veil  of  every  land, 
Usurpation's  Inquisition 

Works  below  to  starve  and  brand. 
There  the  countless,  toiling  masses 

Never  see  with  normal  sight, 
Life,  the  nightmare,  as  it  passes 

Brings  them  only  pain  and  blight. 
To  support  the  torturing  errors 

That  their  hearts  are  forced  to  know, 
War,  with  all  its  blackening  terrors 

Fill  them  with  appalling  woe. 
There  are  noble  souls  contending 

With  the  monsters  of  the  world, 
Scaling  high,  and  low  descending, 

Wheresoe'er  the  serpent's  curled. 


!86  MOC.\T  7-.A7M.Vc>  A*  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

But,  I  said,  O  vain  devotion, 

What  will  all  the  effort  do? 
Will  the  reeds  beside  the  ocean 

Change  its  rolling  or  its  hue  ? 
'Tvvas  a  thought  of  earthly  reason 

Unillumined  by  the  light ; 
'Twas  a  doubt,  and  doubt  is  treason 

To  the  sacred  cause  of  right. 
Quick  reproof  my  heart  was  taking, 

When  a  vision  o'er  it  came, 
Faith,  that  like  the  day  when  breaking 

Flushed  it  with  a  holy  flame. 
And  I  saw,  not  trembling  grasses, 

But  the  angel  world  of  thought 
Bending  down  to  reach  the  masses 

Through  the  minds  that  it  had  taught. 
They  will  tear  the  veil  asunder, 

They  will  rend  it  thread  by  thread, 
Show  the  tangled  warp  of  plunder 

On  which  scenes  of  blood  are  spread. 
They  commissioned,  strong,  indignant, 

That  false  covering  will  destroy, 
And  declare  that  God  benignant 

Made  this  world  for  peace  and  joy. 
God's  estate,  in  fair  division 

To  his  children  doth  belong, 
Might  has  cancelled  His  decision, 

Brutal  might  that  fights  for  wrong. 
But  an  angel  power  is  coming 

Like  the  billows  of  the  sea, 
Hark  !  the  waves  are  softly  humming 

Snatches  of  a  symphony  ; 
When  the  broken  strains  are  blended, 

And  the  music  is  complete, 
War  and  darkness  shall  be  ended, 

Light  and  harmony  shall  meet. 
When  the  lands  of  every  nation 

To  the  people  are  secure, 


NIGHT  FALI.ETH. 

Earth  shall  know  a  new  salvation, 

And  her  peace  will  then  be  sure. 
To  this  end  O  let  us  labor  ; 

Every  one  can  take  a  part, 
Love  to  God  and  to  our  neighbor 

Forms  the  bond  of  every  heart. 
O,  a  mighty  day  is  breaking  ; 

We  must  hail  its  light,  and  grow, 
Earth  and  heaven  alike  are  shaking, 

Only  truth  can  safety  know. 
Light  alone  the  truth  will  cherish, 

And  expand  its  latent  bloom, 
But  the  rankling  wrong  shall  perish, 

Day  dawn  ushers  in  its  doom. 


187 


NIGHT  FALLETH. 

M  IGHT  falleth,  gently  falleth, 
And  another  precious  day 
Swiftly  as  on  wings  in  silence 
From  my  life  is  borne  away. 

Night  falleth,  gently  falleth, 
And  my  spirit  bendeth  low, 

'Mid  pulsating  light  and  shadow, 
'Neath  the  stars'  mysterious  glow. 

Day  with  tent-like  curtain  covers 
From  our  gaze  the  starry  dome, 

While  her  joyous  light  discovers 
Beauty  in  our  earthly  home. 

But  the  night  writes  wondrous  stories 
On  the  clear  scroll  of  the  sky, 

Yet  but  half  reveals  the  glories 
That  beyond  our  fancies  lie. 


1 88  MO  UN  T  L  EBA  NON  CEDA  R  BO  UGHS. 

i 

Like  a  child  beside  the  ocean 
Watching  waves  that  gently  flow, 

With  a  tender,  deep  emotion 
My  stilled  spirit  bendeth  low. 

* 


IN   THE   MOONLIGHT. 

C  WEET  time  !  pure  inspiration  fills  the  soul 
When  tender  hushes  still  the  noisy  land, 
And  silent  blessings  come  from  God's  own  hand. 
O,  happy  then  if  free  from  sin's  control 
We  lift  our  hearts,  and  hear  as  onward  roll 

The  love-songs  of  the  spheres  so  full  and  grand 

And  well  their  sacred  meaning  understand, 
All,  all  may  hear,  e'en  to  the  icy  pole. 
O  happy  moonlight  time  !  when  God  reveals 

His  light,  and  listens  to  our  pleading  thought, 
When  holiness  of  life  our  own  life  feels, 

And  gains  the  great  help  it  has  often  sought. 
Each  silvery  beam  with  magic  power  unseals 

A  hidden  truth  ;  who  wills  to  learn,  is  taught. 


LAND   OF  OUR   DREAMS. 

A  CROSS  the  gulf  of  terrors  thou  didst  leap 
Fawn  like,  and  safely  gained  the  better  side, 
And  found  more  genial  life  beyond  the  tide 
Where  sylvan  vales  lie  sweetly  calm  and  deep, 
And  wood-clad  hills  eternal  silence  keep  ; 

Where  gentle  streams  with  rippling  music  glide 

And  fragrant  flowers  bloom  ever  at  their  side, 
While  odorous  gales  from  spicy  islands  sweep. 
Such  is  the  land  of  all  our  earthly  dreams, 

When  restless  passions  sleep  to  wake  no  more, 
And  though  at  times  heaven's  radiance  o'er  us  gleams 

Yet  patient  wait  we  till  the  race  is  o'er, 
And  well  we've  wrought  the  task  that  easier  seems, 

While  faith  and  hope  light  up  the  distant  shore. 


WAKING  THOUGHTS. 


WAKING  THOUGHTS. 

T~"HE  rosy  light  of  morning  broke 

From  a  cerulean  sky  ; 
And  nature  from  her  dreams  awoke 

To  tell  the  dawn  was  nigh. 
And  I  awoke,  as  if  from  dreams, 

Thus  did  my  heart  aspire, 
To  fill  the  day  with  sunny  gleams 

Of  noble,  true  desire. 

And  with  an  earnest  soul  and  will 

I  rose  to  meet  the  day, 
Its  many  duties  to  fulfill 

That  cumber  us  alway, 
But  ere  a  few  short  hours  were  spent, 

My  plans  —  forgotten,  all, — 
On  other  missions  too  intent, 

My  lips  let  harsh  words  fall. 

O  life's  wasted,  wasted  power 

Of  aspirations  vast, 
That  thrilled  my  soul  at  morning's  hour 

To  bless  ere  day  was  past. 
O  lofty  thoughts  !  resolves  that  burned 

Within  a  living  flame  ; 
Those  vital  fires  to  ashes  turned 

From  whence  no  brightness  came. 

0  thoughtless  words  !  O  idle  thought ! 
Yea,  weak  and  erring  will  ; 

Life's  misspent  hours  that  should  be  fraught 

With  good  instead  of  ill. 
And  as  I  viewed  by  sunset  light, 

My  failure  and  defeat 

1  rose  with  more  encouraged  might 
Life's  many  foes  to  meet. 


190 


MOUXT  LEBAXO.\  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

New  experience  to  us  opes, 

Suffering  brings  us  joy, 
And  on  the  ashes  of  our  hopes 

We  build  to  God's  employ. 
But  hark  !  I  hear  a  soft  voice  speak, 

Which  bids  me  bravely  bear, 
And  while  my  erring  heart  is  weak. 

I'll  seek  the  strength  of  prayer. 


-*- 


O 


THE  WAR   IN   EGYPT. 

1884. 
CHRISTIAN  lands,  where  is  your  creed, 


And  where  your  Guide  "  without  a  stain  ?  " 
Down  thro'  the  ages  wars  of  greed, 
Huge  fiery  serpents  form  a  chain. 

E'en  now  they  hiss  their  sulphurous  smoke 

On  ancient  Egypt's  withered  face, 
She  bowed  beneath  the  iron  yoke, 

Wrought  at  the  forge  of  your  disgrace. 

The  blood  is  streaming  from  her  breast, 
And  o'er  her  tattered  garments  spread, 

But  ah  !  its  sluggish  tide  is  pressed 
On  the  invaders  pallid  dead. 

Is  there   no  nation  in  the  world 
That  can  redeem  the  Christian  name 

And  come  with  banner  white  unfurled 
And  fearless  left  the  cry  "shame  !  " 

In  social  life  they  ostracize 

The  brigand  with  his  murderous  trade  ; 
But  nations  among  nations  rise, 

The  more  their  slaughtering  hosts  invade. 


THE  WAR  I.\  EGYPT. 

And  still  they  say,  "Thy  will  be  done," 
With  pious  cant  and  soulless  care  ; 

E'en  while  the  ponderous  mocking  gun, 
Is  belching  hell  above  that  prayer. 

O  England  !  with  thy  royal  church, 
In  purple  clad  and  drunk  with  gore  ; 

What  crimes  upon  thy  altar  perch, 
What  sorrows  cluster  round  thy  shore  ! 

Vet  thou  unblushingly,  canst  plot 
Thy  hideous  schemes  in  Freedom's  name, 

Without  a  mar,  a  shade,  or  blot 
Upon  thy  honor,  faith  or  fame. 

Yea,  loud  thy  Parliamentary  Halls 
Resound  with  sophistries  for  wrong, 

While  proud  Westminster's  hoary  walls, 
Repeat  their  counterpart  in  song. 

Earth  has  not  one  whole  Christian  land 
Whose  scathing  voice  might  censure  thee  ; 

But  here  and  there,  a  heart  or  band 
Abhors  thy  inhumanity, 

And  scorns  thy  pagan  rites,  that  bless 
The  fiend  work  of  "  victorious  arms," 

That  make  the  maelstrom  of  distress 
The  torturing  depths  of  all  that  harms. 

And  shall  that  scattered  few  not  speak, 
As  witnesses  and  council  brave? 

Who  dare  defend  the  poor  and  weak, 
Who  can  proclaim  the  powers  that  save? 

The  breath  of  God  is  in  the  Spring, 
It  stills  the  storm,  it  melts  the  snow, 

It  makes  the  woods  with  gladness  ring, 
The  blossoms  breathe,  the  sunshine  glow. 


i9r 


192 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

God  give  us  energy  and  zeal, 
The  brave  self-sacrifice  and  hope  ; 

The  ardor  that  the  warriors  feel, 
And  we  with  every  wrong  can  cope. 


SHAKER  HOMES. 

C\     happy  homes  like  Eden-gardens  fair, 

i      Whose  inmates  are  contented, 
Whose  lives  are  free  from  worldly  strife  and  care, 

By  love's  pure  bond  cemented. 
The  lust  of  power,  and  sordid  greed  of  gain 

Rule  not  with  sway  of  might, 
They  seek  not  pleasures  that  are  false  and  vain, 

But  follow  truth  and  right. 

While  direful  woes  encompass  land  and  sea, 

And  trouble  fills  life's  measure, 
A  restful  heaven  in  these  homes  I  see 

When  souls  seek  heavenly  treasure. 
From  whence  come  bitter  wail  and  sad  unrest, 

The  war  of  words  and  strike  of  hands  ? 
From  sway  of  human  passions  all  unblest, 

And  sin's  enthralling  bands. 

This  changeless  law  can  never  be  repealed, 

"  Men  reap  just  what  they  sow," 
From  tares  and  thistles  sown,  life's  field 

Will  tares  and  thistles  grow. 
Crime  stalks  abroad,  though  churches  raise 

Their  steeples  to  the  sky, 
And  well  paid  preachers  thank  and  praise 

The  God  who  rules  on  high. 

They  call  Him  "  Master,"  yet  they  follow  not 

The  steps  of  Him  who  came 
"  To  seek  and  save,"  nor  yet  the  poor  forgot 

Who  called  upon  His  name. 


CHRISTMAS  DA  Y,  1886. 

His  work  was  wrought  through  noble  sacrifice, 

For  love  of  truth  and  good, 
And  on  the  basis  of  His  life  shall  rise 

The  human  brotherhood. 

O,  sweet  communion  of  the  pure  and  just, 

Who  equal  blessings  share, 
Where  love  returns  confiding  love  and  trust, 

And  all  life's  burdens  bear. 
Where  those  who  occupy  the  highest  place, 

God's  precious  gifts  dispense, 
And  gladly  minister  His  saving  grace, 

Nor  seek  a  recompense. 

Such  are  my  people,  and  their  dwelling  place 

Is  an  elysium  blest, 
Where  all  who  from  their  spirits  sin  efface 

Shall  find  sweet  peace  and  rest. 
Ye  witnesses  of  truth  who  wrong  condemn 

And  righteous  laws  obey, 
As  prophets  of  the  New  Jerusalem 

Proclaim  the  living  way. 


CHRISTMAS  DAY,  1886. 

WORDS    SPOKEN    BY   OUR    BELOVED    MOTHER, 
ANTOINETTE   DOOL1TTLE. 

TTHE  angels  sweetly  called  unto  our  spirits, 

And  gratefully  we  sought  the  house  of  prayer, 
In  union  with  our  loving  gospel  kindred, 
And  longed  to  feel  a  heavenly  solace  there. 

Before  the  holy  shrine  of  true  devotion, 
On  bended  knees,  with  reverent  hearts,  we  poured 

Strong  supplication, through  our  soul's  deep  yearnings, 
And  humbly  sought  the  blessing  of  the  Lord. 


194  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  day  indeed  seemed  sacred  in  appointment, 
The  name  and  blessed  life  of  Christ  are  dear, 

Appearing  in  their  grand  and  glorious  meaning 
In  lives  of  all  true  Christians  through  the  year. 

And  while  assembled  in  that  hour  of  worship, 
The  doors  of  heaven  seemed  to  stand  ajar, 

The  flood-gates  of  the  sea  of  life  were  opened, 
And  tide  waves  flowed  without  a  check  or  bar. 

But  best  of  all  that  met  our  outward  vision, 
Our  loved  and  tender  shepherdess  was  there, 

To  comfort  those  whom  she  long  years  had  cherished — 
Encourage  those  who  but  lately  felt  her  care. 

Though  all  unable  for  the  great  exertion, 
She  rose  up  calmly  in  her  place,  and  said: 

"  I  bless  the  word  of  God,  when  truly  spoken, 
It  is  unto  my  soul  as  drink  and  bread. 

41  You,    who    have    climbed    the    rugged     mountain 
bravely, 

And  forded  manfully  the  river's  tide, 
Give  thanks  to  God,  still  trusting  in  that  power, 

That  oft  has  been  your  shield,  your  stay,  your  guide. 

"Continue  in  the  blessed  work  assigned  you, 
And  kindly  help  the  youthful  and  the  weak; 

Hold  out  the  loving  hand  to  those  who  falter, 
Give  nourishment  and  aid  to  those  who  seek. 

"You,  who  have  just  begun  the  upward  journey, 
Take  love,  and  hope  and  courage  by  the  way, 

And  every  step  you  take  will  be  more  easy, 
The  cross  and  yoke  will  lighten  every  day. 


A  MOTHER'S  LOVE. 


195 


"  We'll  make  this  day  a  season  of  rejoicing, 

Nor  idly  spend  it  as  a  feasting  time, 
But  fill  its  hours  with  prayer  and  soulful  feelings, 

With  loving  deeds  and  union  gifts  divine. 

"  'Twere  better  if  the  world  would  teach  their  children 

The  story  of  the  true  anointing  Christ, 
The  Holy  One  of  Israel,  the  Redeemer, 

Than  fill  their  minds  with  joys  by  folly  priced. 

"  Then  let  us  all  rejoice  as  one  together, 
And  be  as  humble  children  in  the  Lord; 

Sincere  in  heart,  and  true  in  our  aspirings, 

The  chosen  ones,  who  have  their  full  reward." 

"WE   RISE   TO   CALL   HER   BLESSED." 

In  the  memory  of  Eldress  Antoinette  Doolittle  of  the  North 
Family  of  Shakers,  who  passed  to  spirit  life  December  31,  1886. 
Over  sixty  years  of  her  earth  life  she  spent  in  the  Order,  nearly  fifty 
of  which  she  bore  a  heavy  burden  both  in  temporal  and  spiritual 
things.  She  was  widely  known  as  a  speaker  and  writer,  and  was 
universally  respected  by  the  public,  and  beloved  by  all  who  person 
ally  knew  her.  For  three  years  she  was  editress  of  the  first  dual 
paper  ever  published,  called  "  The  Shaker  and  Shakeress,"  and  in 
1880,  by  request,  wrote  her  autobiography,  giving  an  interesting 
account  of  her  early  life  previous  to  her  becoming  a  member  of  the 
Society,  also  an  outline  of  her  life  and  experience  among  the 
Shakers. 


A   MOTHER'S  LOVE. 

\A7HILE  sitting  in  communion  blest 

With  kindred  friends  and  parents  dear, 
Upon  my  spirit  was  impressed 
A  gift  to  cherish  and  revere. 

A  Heavenly  Mother's  tender  loVe  ; 

The  life  and  center  of  our  home, 
That  shelters  as  with  wings  of  dove, 

All  hearts  who  'neath  her  influence  come. 


196  MO('.\T  /./•:/!  A. \0.\  CEDAR  ROUGHS. 

Each  child  this  love  so  constant  shares, 
Though  oft  it  changes  form  and  guise  ; 

The  needed  gift  our  Mother  bears 
With  patient  heart  and  purpose  wise. 

It  is  the  power  that  causeth  grief, 
Repentance  deep  and  true  for  sin  ; 

That  brings  the  spirit  sweet  relief. 
And  lights  the  lamp  of  hope  within. 

It  is  the  two-edged  sword  that  wounds, 
And  then  the  balm  that  soothes  and  heals 

It  is  the  fire  that  sin  consumes, 
And  light  that  endless  life  reveals. 

It  is  the  hand  that  smites  with  death 
Those  elements  which  are  of  earth  ; 

And  then  becomes  the  living  breath 
To  souls  who  find  angelic  birth. 

It  sometimes  comes  like  thunder  peals, 
To  waken  slumbering  souls  to  life, 

And  oft  like  angel  music  steals, 
To  calm  the  troubled  waves  of  strife. 

And  when  we  pass  through  battle  heat, 
Through  surging  tides  or  valleys  dark, 

This  gift  will  stay  and  guide  our  feet, 
And  point  us  to  the  shining  mark. 

O,  boundless  is  its  power  for  good, 

United  with  a  Father's  grace, 
This  precious  love  of  Motherhood 

Will  prove  a  saviour  of  the  race. 


GIFT  OF  FRIENDSHIP. 


I97 


BLESS  AND  CURSE   NOT. 

A    FLOWING  streamlet  gushed  from  rocky  bed 
And  spread  its  crystal  treasures  far  and  wide  ; 
Each  plant  and  floweret  on  its  mossy  side 
Grew  bright  and  vernal,  for  each  blessing  shed 
A  purer  fragrance,  and  in  their  sweet  way  said, 
O  heart  of  man,  in  life's  glad  ways  abide 
And  let  not  selfishness  thy  jewels  hide, 
But  give  and  in  love's  peaceful  paths  be  led. 
The  barren  tree,  it  cumbereth  the  ground, 

The  heart  unfruitful,  void  of  precious  gifts 
That  blesses  not,  but  scatters  hate  around 

Is  dead  to  all  the  inner  soul  uplifts. 
O,  let  us  all  in  love  and  grace  abound. 
And  walk  in  light  that  every  dark  cloud  rifts. 


GIFT   OF    FRIENDSHIP. 

C  NOVVY  chalice  filled  with  nectar  sweetness, 
Fragrant  leaves  its  spotless  heart  unfold, 
Spicy  bloom  that  circles  in  completeness 
The  rare  and  delicate  bouquet  I  hold. 


Gift  of  friendship,  lovely  as  the  giver, 
Clustered  emblems  in  full  beauty  wrought, 

Unexpressed,  the  joy  of  the  receiver 

Flows  to  thee  from  purest  springs  of  thought. 

Pure  as  lily-cup  our  hearts  be  ever, 
Fresh  as  leaves  in  union  intertwined, 

Rich  as  purple  bloom  that  fadeth  never, 
These  in  harmony  our  souls  shall  bind. 


198 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOL'GHS. 


Thanks  for  love  exhaled  from  each  fair  token, 
Thanks  for  blessings  strewn  along  my  way  ; 

To  keep  the  bond  of  unity  unbroken, 
Be  this  my  care  and  effort  every  day. 


-*- 


GO  FIND- THY  FRIENDS. 

/COMPLAIN  not  that  thy  life  is  void  of  friends, 
Be  but  a  friend  thyself,  and  thou  wilt  find 
The  amplest  means  toward  the  longed  for  ends, 
Which  thine  to  every  other  heart  will  bind. 

The  master  sculptor,  Michael  Angelo, 
Could  see  the  finished  statue  in  a  block 

Of  roughest  marble,  and  the  slow 

And  patient  hand  the  portal  could  unlock 

Which  hid  the  vision  from  all  other  eyes. 

The  poet  sees  in  words  the  perfect  form 
That  fills  his  soul  with  throbbing  and  surprise. 

And  rouses  him  as  thunder  wakes  the  storm 

To  bring  his  angel  out  in  finished  verse. 

The  wrapt  musician,  all  his  soul  aglow 
With  melody,  longs  only  to  rehearse 

The  harmonies  that  saints  and  seraphs  know, 

And  shows  his  soul's  bright  angel  unto  men. 

A  friend  is  more  than  statue,  verse  or  song, 
Is  more  than  any  joy  within  our  ken, 

Or  rapture  which  to  mortals  may  belong. 

Despair  not  then,  but  through  the  cold  and  heat 

Of  wild  adversity  seek  thine  ideal 
Within  the  hearts  of  men,  and  thou  wilt  meet 

In  shining  form  the  angel  of  the  real. 


LANGUAGE. 


199 


Wilt  find  thy  friends  as  genuine  and  pure, 

Yea,  truer  than  a  fancy  of  the  mind 
Worked  into  perfect  mold  from  miniature, 

According  as  the  Master  Will  designed. 

Thy  true  friends  found,  make  then  thyself  as  one 
Who  consecrates  all  service  willingly, 

And  greater  fame  hath  never  master  won 
Than  that  which  waits  to  place  a  crown  on  thee. 


-*- 


LANGUAGE. 

f~\  POWER  of  speech  !  thou  wondrous  gift  to  man, 
Thou  potent  messenger  of  good  or  ill, 
With  joy  or  sorrow  thou  the  heart  dost  fill, 
Bring'st  peace  or  discord  to  the  social  clan. 
The  mind  may  fields  of  knowledge  amply  scan, 

But  were  it  not  for  thy  inventive  skill 

That  stirs  with  eloquence  the  listless  will, 
How  vain  and  futile  were  each  mental  plan. 

Ah,  may  this  lesson,  wisdom  to  us  teach, 
Through  his  creation,  man  excels  the  brute  ; 

This  glorious  gift,  this  lofty  power  of  speech, 
Lifts  him  above  God's  creatures  strangely  mute  ; 

Destines  to  lofty  heights  he  yet  shall  reach, 
Where  language  bears  its  richest,  sweetest  fruit. 


200  MOUNT  LEBA.\(  '.V  <  EDAR  BOUGHS. 

FUNERAL  DAY. 

A  TRIBUTE  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  PRESIDENT  GARFIELD. 

DING  myriad  bells  your  requiem  chimes  to-day 

Ere  unto  dust  our  martyred  dead  we  lay, 
Tell  all  the  world  before  the  sun  departs 
A  nation's  love,  that  flows  from  saddened  hearts. 

Through  air  and  sky  send  forth  the  solemn  peal, 

A  universal  mourning  to  reveal, 

While  all  the  people  with  united  voice 

Speak  praise  of  him  who  was  their  willing  choice. 

The  h»m  of  busy  marts  is  hushed  and  still, 
A  hallowed  spirit  steals  o'er  vale  and  hill; 
Earth  yields  in  rarest  gifts  her  latest  bloom 
To  wreathe  the  bier  and  lift  the  gathered  gloom. 

Our  great  souled  chief!     Ah!  many  tongues  will  tell 
How  by  the  bold  assassin's  stroke  he  fell 
With  mortal  wound,  that  care  and  skill  defied, 
Which  sapped  the  strength  of  manhood's  flowing  tide. 

His  wondrous  fortitude  and  will,  sustained 
Through  months  of  agony  that  waxed  and  waned, 
The  frame  more  feeble  grew,  till  that  brave  soul 
The  powers  of  life  no  longer  could  control. 

The  ocean  moaned,  the  fair  sun  hid  his  face, 
A  sable  shadow  veiled  his  resting  place, 
O'er  trembling  wires  the  last  sad  message  sped 
Around  the  world;  "  Our  president  is  dead." 

And  quick  response  came  like  a  throb  of  woe 
From  kingly  courts  and  e'en  from  stations  low, 
One  feeling  reigned,  one  impulse  deeply  thrilled, 
And  kindly  sorrow  every  nation  filled. 


FUNERAL  DAY.  2OI 

Bright  omen  of  the  blessed  bye  and  bye. 

When  love  shall  form  the  happy  gordian  tie 

That  none  can  break,  when  o'er  the  whole  wide  world 

The  star-gemmed  flag  of  peace  shall  be  unfurled. 

*  Did  not  the  silvery  belt  that  gleamed  on  high, 
And  spanned  from  west  to  east  the  evening  sky. 
Portend  a  meaning  deeper  than  we  drew, 
A  bond  'twixt  Continents  both  old  and  new? 

The  thronging  millions  of  our  own  free  land 

With  heads  uncovered  by  their  altars  stand 

And  seal  their  countless  prayers  with  unfeigned  praise, 

And  bow  in  trust  to  "  God's  mysterious  ways." 

No  North,  no  South,  but  one  true  family, 
Blend  in  one  common  flow  of  sympathy. 
Be  this  a  link  these  sacred  hours  shall  weld 
So  firm  that  hate  forever  shall  be  quelled. 

Who  knows  his  virtues  best  can  on  them  dwell, 
His  grandly  rounded  life  shall  history  tell, 
For  lofty  aims  inspired  him  from  his  youth, 
His  guiding  motive  was  unsullied  truth. 

The  press  and  pulpit,  with  each  other  vie 
In  eulogies  that  place  our  martyr  high, 
In  all  that  gives  to  man  a  lasting  name, 
A  niche  of  grandeur  crowning  mortal  fame. 

Bear  gently  to  the  tomb  the  last  remains 
Of  him  whose  broad  career  wears  no  dark  stains; 
Whose  private  honors  rest  in  hearts  of  grief, 
Where  precious  memories  bring  sweet  relief. 

Our  prayers,  our  wishes,  are  not  vainly  lost 
Through  all  the  trial,  sacrifice  and  cost, 
The  rod  that  chastens  blooms  with  life  anew; 
A  nation  stricken  shall  be  strong  and  true. 


'  A  phenomenon  in  tlie  sky. 


202  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

God  of  our  fathers!  look  on  this  our  land, 
For  its  salvation  now  stretch  forth  thy  hand, 
Bless  him  who  steers  the  mighty  ship  of  State 
With  sight  to  shun  the  sands  and  shoals  of  fate. 

May  congresses  of  noble  souls  gone  forth, 
Send  power  and  inspiration  down  to  earth, 
That  men  may  feel  where  sacred  duty  lies 
And  give  our  country  counsels  good  and  wise. 

Purge  fraud  and  selfishness  from  human  laws, 
Help  justice  plead  her  rights  in  every  cause, 
Hasten  the  day  when  full  equality 
Shall  make  all  nations  from  oppression  free. 


-*- 


AMERICA  IN  SHAME. 

CHE  was  the  earth's  great  refuge  land, 

Designed  to  be  a  home  indeed, 
Where  noble  souls  erect  might  stand, 

Beyond  the  reach  of  throne  or  creed. 
Does  she  maintain  the  world-wide  cause 

For  which  her  fathers  struggled  long? 
Or  only  mid  her  pleasures  pause 

To  give  to  liberty  a  song? 
There  is  no  time  to  sing  nor  dream, 

No  moments  for  the  banquet  hall, 
Behold  the  cloud  whose  lightning's  beam 

Is  like  the  writing  on  the  wall! 

With  childish  pride,  elate  and  warm, 
She  sees  the  past  with  ruddy  sky, 

Unconscious  of  the  brewing  storm, 
That  darkly,  wildly  gathers  nigh. 


AMERICA  IN  SHAME. 

Her  laborers,  in  their  need  for  bread 

Implore  her  for  the  right  to  toil; 
She  drops  her  hands,  she  drops  her  head, 

And  whispers,  this  is  freedom's  soil! 
Above  her  breath  she  dare  not  speak; 

Her  tyrants  awe  her  with  their  might; 
She  scarcely  knows  that  she  is  weak, 

Or  that  the  right  is  right. 

Whence  is  this  power,  this  conquest  sore 

At  which  her  lips  may  not  demur? 
Has  the  invader  gained  her  shore, 

Or  foreign  despots  conquered  her  ? 
Ah!  many  masters  calls  she  lord, 

And  many  kings  she  must  obey; 
Monopolists,  a  soulless  horde, 

Degrade  America  to-day. 
From  valleys  to  the  mountains'  tops, 

Her  heavy  golden  harvests  stand; 
Her  soil  is  teeming  with  its  crops, 

But  want  is  seen  on  every  hand. 

The  factory  and  the  foundry  still — 

Or,  only  making  broken  sound — 
The  workshops  long  untrodden,  will 

With  rankest  weeds  and  grass  abound, 
And  idlers,  idlers,  everywhere, 

And  tramps  that  no  one  could  employ, 
Till  satan  takes  them  in  his  care, 

And  makes  their  reckless  hands  destroy. 
The  crimson  flame  is  in  the  sky; 

The  crimson  blood  is  on  the  ground; 
But  crimson  of  a  deeper  dye 

Might  on  the  nation's  face  be  found; 
For  she  who  saw  not  the  distress, 

Nor  heard  the  pleadings  of  her  throngs, 
Could  call  her  armies  to  suppress 

The  rage  that  swelled  against  these  wrongs. 


203 


204 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOL  GHS. 

O  had  she  heard  them  when  they  cried, 

And  waked  to  effort  for  their  good, 
Prosperity  would  now  be  wide 

Where  dissolution's  terrors  brood. 
But  wealth  above,  and  mines  below, 

And  commerce  on  the  open  sea, 
One  clutching,  grasping  system  know, 

One  law,  and  that  monopoly! 

Can  God  o'erlook  a  crime  so  great, 

And  human  fiends  his  projects  foil  ? 
A  few  usurpers  seal  the  fate 

That  gives  his  children  want  and  toil  ? 
He  made  all  nations  of  one  blood, 

And  views  them  with  parental  eye; 
He  sends  his  blessing  like  a  flood 

To  all  who  dwell  beneath  the  sky. 

The  Golden  Rule  that  Jesus  gave, 

To  each  would  make  a  portion  sure. 
The  Declaration  of  the  brave, 

Would  human  rights  secure. 
But  hath  the  nation  power  to  say, 

"  Ye  shall  not  in  my  name  oppress  ?  " 
Or  can  the  Church  in  Truth's  array, 

Demand  the  work  of  righteousness  ? 

O,  fair  Columbia,  captive  now! 

By  thine  own  household  foes  betrayed; 
Lift  up  thy  voice,  lift  up  thy  broiv. 

And  let  thy  standard  be  displayed. 
The  craft  of  Church  and  State  is  there, 

Wherever  poverty  is  found, 
Then  be  it  first  thy  urgent  care, 

To  know  that  conscience  is  unbound. 
Hear  thou  the  prophecy  that  thrills 

Through  every  heart  that  loves  the  right: 


A  FINANCIAL  PANIC. 

"God  is  not  dead,  his  spirit  wills 
A  work  of  overwhelming  might! 

And  thou  shalt  not  in  bondage  groan 
Nor  be  to  tyrannies  a  prey; 

For  he  has  claimed  thee  as  his  own 
To  consecrate  to  Liberty.'1'' 


205 


INWARD   PEACE. 

A  N  aged  pilgrim  by  the  open  door 

Sat  leaning  on  his  staff  to  greet  the  sun, 
The  gleaming  sands  of  time  were  almost  run, 
And  long  experience  he  pondered  o'er. 
His  life  seemed  like  a  smooth  extended  shore, 
Outreaching  far  from  where  the  line  begun, 
Till  past  and  present  merging  into  one 
Lay  like  the  sunshine  on  his  path  before. 
He  lifted  up  his  head  in  calm  content, 
And  sang,  with  heart  attuned  to  inward  peace, 
"  Glory  to  God  on  high,  for  days  well  spent, 
For  blessings  given  and  for  truth's  increase  :  " 
A  new  light  glowed  upon  his  face  intent, 
Like  some  sweet  dream  where  heaven  and  earth 
were  blent. 


A   FINANCIAL   PANIC. 

C\  YE  that  prize  the  Nation's  life, 
Her  honor  and  her  noble  call, 
Awake,  arise,  and  join  the  strife 

To  gain  equality  for  all. 
Financial  systems  based  on  fraud, 

Like  empires,  cover  all  the  earth, 
Distorting  sacred  laws  of  God 

And  giving  countless  horrors  birth. 


206  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Look  on  the  scene  that  but  of  late 

Was  re-enacted  far  and  near  ; 
'Tis  but  the  index  of  the  fate 

That  swept  through  every  lowly  sphere. 
They  stood  around  with  faces  paled, 

And  eyes  aglow  with  fires  of  dread  ; 
Their  heavy  hearts  within  them  quailed 

As  if  all  hope  of  life  had  fled. 

'Twas  not  the  battle's  sanguine  heat, 

Nor  vessels'  lonely  wreck  at  sea  ; 
'Twas  not  the  hour  when  tempests  meet, 

And  earth  convulses  mightily  ; 
But  there  was  wild  ness  in  the  air  ; 

Men  struggled  as  with  forms  unseen, 
While  some  close  pinioned  with  despair 

Gazed  motionless  upon  the  scene. 

The  tumult  of  that  human  tide, 

The  darkness  of  that  mental  sky, 
All  earthly  terrors  far  out-vied  ; 

For  there  was  heartfelt  agony ! 
The  crush  of  hopes,  the  loss  of  place, 

The  homes  that  in  their  grandeur  fleet, 
The  pain  of  every  household  face, 

The  rugged  paths  for  tender  feet ; 

The  plans  that  were  but  idly  wrought, 

The  schemes  for  boundless  wealth  and  power, 
The  long  life  efforts  brought  to  naught, 

All  crowded  through  that  fearful  hour. 
And  ever  and  anon  there  came 

New  messages  that  seemed  like  death  ; 
The  failure  of  each  trusted  name 

Was  listened  to  with  bated  breath. 

Some  felt  their  quivering  reason  fall, 
Some  wept  as  if  to  break  the  spell, 

Some  hazarded  their  little  all 
In  hope  that  it  might  yet  be  well. 


A  FINANCIAL  PANIC, 

But  there  were  some,  O  hearts  of  steel ! 

Where  were  your  human  pulses  warm, 
That  like  the  wreckers,  could  but  feel 

Exultant  through  that  rending  storm  ; 

That  like  the  wreckers  fiercely  grasp 

The  treasures  of  that  sinking  crew  ; 
That  callously  the  hand  unclasped, 

That  nerved  itself  for  life  anew? 
Yet  you  and  they  were  of  one  kin  ; 

Had  fortune  but  reversed  her  wheel, 
Like  yours,  their  hands  would  joyful  win  ; 

Their  hearts  be  dead  to  all  appeal. 

Now  from  your  splendid  ruins  turn 

To  watch  the  waves  that  carry  woe, 
To  where  the  flickering  tapers  burn 

In  garrets  high  and  cellars  low. 
Think  of  the  children  starved  for  food, 

The  strong  men  humbled  in  their  pride, 
The  women  robbed  of  womanhood, 

The  crimes  to  wretchedness  allied  ; 

And  pledge,  against  this  weight  of  sin, 

The  time  that  to  you  yet  remains  ; 
You  have  ability  to  win 

The  country  from  commercial  chains. 
Change,  from  the  word  to  very  deed, 

"  The  Declaration"  that  was  given  ; 
Let  Christ-like  action  meet  the  need  ; 

There  is  no  poverty  in  heaven. 


207 


2o8  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

COMPARISON. 

IWl  Y  soul  has  visions,  and  I  turn  to  where 

The  great  sea  lies  spread  out,  a  boundless  field 
That  in  the  regal  moonlight  blossoms  yield  ; 
The  happy  songs  of  sunlit  hours  are  there 
With  anthems  full,  in  music  rich  and  rare. 

The  diamonds  gleam  upon  its  steel  blue  shield, 

Upon  its  mail-clad  breast  the  tempests  wield 
The  maddening  forces  that  the  wild  winds  bear. 
And,  in  my  life  I  find  all  these  to  be, 

The  shield  of  faith  to  gird  my  breast  about, 
I  sing  such  songs  as  ripple  on  the  sea, 

I  feel  the  sterner  elements  of  doubt, 
While  truth's  bright  sun  illumes  my  shaded  hours, 
And  in  my  spirit  blooms  the  night-born  flowers. 


MONOPOLY. 

/^  ROSS  superfluity  is  fruit  of  sin  ; 

The  palace  rests  upon  a  thousand  huts  ; 
The  hand  that  seeks  unbounded  wealth  to  win, 

By  each  success,  some  door  of  blessing  shuts. 
By  each  success  some  misery  is  sown, 

Some  sorrow  for  the  future  day  to  reap  ; 
Some  guilt  is  kindled,  that  when  years  have  flown 

Shall  through  the  heart  like  streams  of  lava  sweep. 
Monopoly  is  but  the  larger  theft, 

The  robbery  that  swells  beyond  the  Law  ; 
A  subtle  power  which  hath  the  earth  bereft 

Of  that  sweet  good  which  its  Creator  saw. 
It  is  a  blight  upon  the  human  race  ; 

It  fills  the  cities  with  their  dens  of  shame  ; 
It  sits  a  threatening  fiend  in  every  place 

That  honest  industry  might  rightly  claim. 


MO  NO  POL  Y. 


209 


The  angels  see  it,  and  their  eyes  are  stern, 

Yet  full  of  pity  for  the  poor  and  weak  ; 
Before  their  tribune  how  shall  conscience  burn  ! 

And  who  will  for  the  grasper  dare  to  speak  ? 
Ah,  who  could  plead  the  cause  of  him  who  made 

By  usurpation,  want's  appalling  pains  ? 
When  shall  his  crimes  from  his  own  vision  fade? 

And  what  forgiveness  could  remove  his  stains  ? 
Not  till  the  dwarfed  and  smitten,  thrive  and  bloom, 

Not  till  the  crushed  and  thwarted  rise  to  life, 
Not  till  his  spirit  toils  revoke  the  doom 

With  which  his  earthly  deeds  were  ever  rife. 
Not  till  all  marks  of  penury  depart 

From  souls  whose  mortal  destiny  he  made, 
Not  till  the  depths  of  his  own  sordid  heart 

Break  forth  in  sympathy  —  in  loving  aid. 
O,  not  till  then  can  he  the  past  forget ! 

This  is  atonement  that  will  never  fail  ; 
For,  by  this  law  shall  sin's  dark  train  be  met, 

And  through  this  law  shall  deathless  truth  prevail. 
The  angels  say  to  every  heart :  "Do  right," 

Though  man-made  systems  may  sustain  the  wrong  ; 
Guilt  still  be  guilt,  in  God's  impartial  sight, 

And  not  less  heavy  carried  by  a  throng. 
Before  the  angels,  pomps  are  types  of  woe  ; 

The  gorgeous  fruitage  of  a  pois'nous  tree, 
Whose  cruel  roots  luxuriantly  grow 

From  hearts  long  buried  in  fell  misery. 
With  deep  compassion,  over  earth  we  trace 

The  ills  that  through  Monopoly  have  come  ; 
One  spot  is  radiant  —  it  has  no  place 

Within  the  borders  of  oiir  sacred  home. 


2io  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THE   HOME  THAT  WE   HAVE   FOUND. 

M  ATURE'S  myriads  wake  to  greetjus 

At  the  dawning  of  the  day  ; 
Blossoms,  birds,  and  fragrant  breezes, 

All  "  Good-morning  "  seem  to  say. 
And  the  dreams  that  filled  our  slumbers 

Whether  sorrowful  or  bright, 
Melt  away  like  mists  of  morning 

In  the  affluence  of  light. 
Then  we  meet  and  bless  each  other, 

With  a  feeling  deep  and  true, 
Mingled  with  our  thanks  to  Heaven, 

For  a  life  so  sweet  and  new. 
Then,  I  think  of  hearts  that  suffer 

In  the  world's  distracted  state  ; 
How  the  morning  breaks  upon  them 

But  to  show  their  bitter  fate. 
Quickly  from  that  dismal  picture 

Turns  my  spirit  in  deep  pain, 
Praying  that  the  powers  immortal, 

Will  not  ever  strive  in  vain. 
For,  amid  earth's  boundless  beauty 

Nations  dwell  beneath  a  pall, 
Having  with  a  grim  precision, 

Things  adapted  to  the  Fall. 
Who  shall  rend  the  veil  of  darkness  ? 

Who  shall  break  the  clouds  of  sin  ? 
God  must  shake  the  old  Creation, 

That  His  truth  its  place  may  win. 
So  the  burden  of  my  spirit 

I  consign  unto  the  Lord, 
And  in  gathering  to  His  children, 

Feel  His  blessing  and  reward. 
Thus  the  day  with  all  its  labor 

Rolls  so  swiftly  to  its  close, 
And  its  shadows  long  and  quiet 

Bring  the  heart  a  deep  repose. 


ADIEU. 

When  the  royal  robe  of  evening 

Is  exchanged  for  mantled  gray  ; 
When  the  silver  stars  like  spirits 

Come  so  softly  o'er  our  way  ; 
When  the  wind  that  rocks  the  maple 

Sings  the  robin  to  its  sleep, 
And  unnumbered  sounds  are  blended 

In  a  concert  grand  and  deep  ; 
Then  our  thoughts,  like  lambs  are  gathered 

To  our  hearts,  as  to  a  fold, 
And  we  try  to  count  the  treasures, 

That  can  never  all  be  told. 
There  are  words  of  precious  counsel, 

Acts  of  kindness,  love  and  care  ; 
Thoughtful  eyes  that  looked  a  blessing, 

Smiles  of  joy  and  peace  are  there. 
And  perhaps,  "Good-night  "  was  spoken, 

And  its  gentle  tones  we  hear 
Like  an  angel  voice  above  us, 

As  the  realm  of  sleep  we  near. 
For  in  silence,  or  in  music, 

In  the  shadow,  or  the  light, 
Nothing  but  the  hearts  that  love  us 

Ever  truly  say,  "Good-night." 
Scenes  transcendent  may  surround  us, 
Heaven  and  earth  with  gifts  abound, 
Yet  the  faithful  hearts  that  love  us 

Form  the  home  that  we  have  found. 


ADIEU. 

TO   A   SISTER,    ON    CHANGING   HER   HOME. 

/^vUT  from  a  heart  whose  throbbing  pulse  another's 

heart-beat  feels, 

Out  from  a  fount  whose  sympathy  the  soul's  clear 
depth  reveals 


212  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Flows  forth  a  tide  of  feeling  deep,  by  kindred  currents 
met, 

Whose  mutual  streams  of  blessing  can  never  back 
ward  set. 

True  love  and  chaste  affection,  like  the  gentle  dew 

and  rain, 
Our  chalices  with  sweetness  fill,  allay  our  grief  and 

pain, 
And  a  tender  tie  of  union  binds  us  closely  heart  to 

heart, 
Which  makes  us  one  in  spirit  though  we  may  be  far 

apart. 

Amid  the  strange  vicissitudes  that  vary  life's  dull  way — 
The  somber  night  of  sorrow,  or  the  gladsome  light  of 

day — 
We're  learning  some  new  lesson  from  the  open  book 

of  life, 
We're  gathering  strength  and  courage  to  endure  the 

ceaseless  strife. 

I  ask  not  that  inertia's  rest  shall  come  to  you  or  me, 
I  ask  not  that  a  dead'ning  calm  shall  settle  o'er  life's 

sea, 

But  that  our  soul's  activities  may  find  a  fitting  place, 
And  all  our  labors  be  imbued  with  love  and  Christian 

grace. 

Where'er  the  Spirit's  voice  may  call,  we'll  lay  our  self 
hood  down, 

Though  cragged  rocks  our  feet  may  pierce  or  thorns 
may  be  our  crown; 

'Tis  better  far  to  suffer,  than  enjoy  the  things  that 
please; 

No  soul  can  reach  perfection's  height  through  flowery 
beds  of  ease. 


ADIEU. 


213 


Our  faith  has  led  to  sacrifice  of  kindred  ties  of  earth, 
The  germs  of  the  immortal  life  have  struggled  to  the 

birth, 
Its  joys  and  pure  relations  promised  greater  love  and 

gain— 
A  recompense  commensurate  for  agony  and  pain. 

We  cherish  that  communion  founded  on  eternal  right, 
And  we  would  share  its  fullest  peace  redeemed  from 

sin  and  blight; 
With  love  magnanimous  and  free,  Christ's  mission  was 

replete, 
The  children  of  the  Orient  learned  sweet  lessons  at 

His  feet. 

Shall  we  recluse-like  gather,  each  within  our  little  cell 
Abjuring  e'en  the  name  of  love,  yet  counjt  our  prayers 

full  well  ? 

Depending  on  salvation  by  each  selfish  penance  given, 
While  counting  on  the  glories  of  some  future  unknown 

heaven  ? 

Give  me  the  power  of  loving  here,  no  greater  bliss  I'd 

know, 
The  mant'ling  cloak  of  charity  on  other's  faults  to 

throw, 
No  bitter  judgment  would  I  mete  the  spirit's  growth 

to  blight, 
Nor  like  the  stern  inquisitor,  give  torture  day  and 

night. 

Each  soul  a  jewel-casket  hides  within  its  chamber  fair, 
Each  gem  therein  a  luster  holds,  made  bright  by  toil 

and  care, 
And  though   unseen  by  mortals  now,   good   angels 

charge  shall  hold, 
Till    all    unveiled,    their  glory  yet  shall   many  eyes 

behold. 


214  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

O  leave  not  to  the  great  beyond  our  hope  of  things  to 

be, 
The  time  draws  near  when  we  more  clearly.eye  to  eye 

will  see, 
When  the  inharmonies  that  now  our  tensioned  harp- 

chords  thrill 
Shall  give  the   place  to  notes  as  gay  as  spring-time 

warbler's  trill. 

Now  kindly  we  will  bid  adieu,  with  naught  but  love 

for  thee, 
If  faith  our  light,  and  truth  our  staff,  our  journey  safe 

will  be; 
With  firm  reliance  on  the  gift  that  makes  our  home 

secure, 
Let  us  find  a  closer  union  in  a  life  that's  good  and 

pure. 


COURAGE. 

TTHE  earth  hath  always  need  of  heroes  brave; 

Not    such    as  fame   with   withered   wreath  hath 

crowned, 

Not  souls  who  glory  seek  on  battle  ground; 
Not  they  who  proudly  civic  honors  crave 
And  find  applause  where  flaunting  banners  wave; 
But  such  as  speak  with  no  uncertain  sound 
'Gainst     giant     wrongs    where    darkening    crimes 

abound; 

This  is  the  courage  that  a  world  will  save. 
O  strong  white  sonls!  touched  with  God's  altar  flame, 

Engird  our  hearts  with  fearless  love  of  right; 
We  too  must  work  in  God's  most  holy  name, 

And  storm  the  citadel  of  error's  might. 
We  turn  our  gaze  where   faith's  high  watch-towers 

lume, 
And  courage  take  'mid  life's  encircling  gloom. 


MA  TERN  A  L  SPIRIT. 


215 


MATERNAL  SPIRIT. 

C\     Mother  !  hear  our  earnest  prayer  ; 

'  We  look  to  thee  for  strength  and  care. 
Thou  art  our  fortress  and  our  stay, 
Thou  art  the  Light,  the  Truth,  the  Way. 
Thou  art  the  Bride  arrayed  in  white; 
And  revelation's  perfect  light 
Reveals  to  us  that  thou  art  She 
Who  was,  who  is,  and  is  to  be. 

Who  was,  when  light  from  chaos  sprang, 
And  morning  stars  together  sang; 
Who  is  the  second  Christ  divine, 
The  lily  fair  and  blooming  vine; 
The  Heavenly  Comforter  in  need, 
From  whence  all  goodness  doth  proceed; 
And  rich  are  we  who  share  her  love 
'Tis  pure  as  nectar  from  above. 

And  thou  art  She  who  is  to  be 
Soul-center  of  humanity; 
Above  all  other  hills  shall  stand 
The  scepter  planted  by  thy  hand, 
Where  eagles  thither  shall  be  led 
To  waters  pure  and  living  bread; 
For  where  the  body  pitch  their  tent, 
Exalted  spirits  oft  are  sent. 

Such  find  just  what  their  souls  desire, 
The  cleansing  fount  and  furnace  fire; 
These  will  refine  from  earthly  dross. 
Make  holy  by  a  daily  cross. 
O  blessed  Spirit !  brood  o'er  earth, 
And  teach  man  of  the  second  birth, 
How  he  must  die  if  life  would  win 
And  heaven's  kingdom  enter  in. 


2i6  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

How  all  must  suffer  ere  they  reign 
Triumphant  over  sin  and  pain, 
And  willing  sacrifices  make 
Ere  they  pure  heavenly  joys  partake. 
Maternal  Soul  !  to  us  most  dear, 
Embrace  thy  children  far  and  near; 
"  Our  feet  as  pillars  fast  shall  be," 
Our  hearts,  made  glad,  rejoice  in  thee. 


-*- 


A  MOTHER'S  LOVE. 

I  ONG  time  ago  when  e'en  the  years  were  young, 
When  this  dear  earth  was  beautiful  and  new, 
When  light  first  dawned,  when  dropped  the  first 

sweet  dew, 

An  Angel  came  from  Heaven,  sweet  praise  she  sung, 
As  fairest  things  entranced  she  walked  among. 
Filled  with  delight  she  sought  the  best  they  knew, 
A  child's  sweet  smile,  fair  flowers  of  tender  hue, 
And  mother's  love — to  these  she  closely  clung. 
When  Heaven's  pearl-gates  she  reached,  the  smile  had 

gone, 

The  fragrant  flowers  had  withered  in  her  hand  ; 
But  oh  !  the  mother's  love  by  flight  unworn 

Was  pure  as  streams  that  wash  the  golden  strand. 
"There's  naught    so  good,   amid    earth's    treasures 

born," 
Said  all  the  angels  of  the  heavenly  land. 


OUR  BELOVED   MOTHER    IN   ISRAEL 
ELIZA  ANN  TAYLOR. 

A  DOWN  the  vista  of  thy  fourscore  years 

Thy  children  look  and  lovingly  behold 
Thy  Godlike  life,  which,  free  from  sin  appears 
Bright  as  the  diamond,  pure  as  well-tried  gold, 


OUR  BELOVED  MOTHER. 


217 


A  soul  well  moulded  to  the  Master's  will, 

A  voice  which  bids  all  baser  thoughts  be  still. 

The  true  nobility,  the  constant  zeal, 

The  patient  fortitude  which  firmly  stood 

And  bore  and  suffered  for  a  people's  weal, 

Preserved  the  covenant  which  brought  us  good  ; 

These  are  the  virtues  which  will  live  and  shine, 

And  mark  thee  as  a  hero-soul  divine. 

Behold  the  woman  on  whose  brow  is  sealed 
The  impress  of  the  living  Christ  on  earth  ; 

The  Motherhood  in  God,  to  those  revealed 

Whose  souls  have  found  the  new  and  second  birth  ; 

Transfigured  on  the  mount  of  truth  they  stand, 

And  catch  far  glimpses  of  the  heavenly  land. 

We  see  thee  as  a  lily  snowy  white, 
Sweet  emblem  of  a  pure  and  chastened  soul, 

Whose  pearly  chalice  holds  the  sunbeams  bright, 
Waving  in  all  the  zephyrs  as  they  roll. 

And  deeply  planted  in  the  parent  sod 

It  grows,  and  blooms,  and  breathes  its  soul  to  God. 

We  see  thee  as  a  palm-tree  tall  and  fair, 

Whose  spreading  branches  make  a  sheltering  shade 
Where  weary  ones  may  come,  and  resting  there 

Find  comfort,  yea  with  none  to  make  afraid. 
No  harmful  influence  finds  a  place  in  thee, 
Thy  healing  leaves  are  love  and  charity. 

We  see  thee  as  a  rock  'mid  ocean's  waves, 
Unmoved  when  storm  and  tempests  surge  around, 

Firm  as  the  rockbed  of  that  faith  which  saves 
All  those  who  build  on  its  foundation  sound. 

So  true  art  thou  to  God,  so  true  to  souls, 

True  as  the  magnet  to  the  electric  poles. 

We  see  thee  as  a  Shepherdess,  so  calm  and  strong, 
Gathering  thy  little  lambs  within  the  fold 

Safe  from  the  outer  world,  where  they  so  long 
Had  wandered,  shivering  in  the  storm  and  cold. 


2i8  MOI'.\T  I.KHA.\0.\  CKDAK  BOUGHS. 

O  tender  Shepherdess  !  thrice  blest  the  name, 
Dearer  to  us  than  queens  with  all  their  fame. 

We  see  thee  as  a  Priestess  of  the  Lord, 
Standing  within  the  Temple's  Holy  Place  ; 

From  whose  pure  lips  oft  came  the  living  word, 
Clothed  with  the  mantle  of  thy  truth  and  grace. 

In  knowledge  wise,  in  innocence  complete  ; 

Thy  heart  a  shrine  where  angels  love  to  meet. 

From  out  that  inner  sanctuary  pure, 
We've  often  felt  thy  testimony  swift 

As  lightning's  flash,  then  answering  thunder  sure 
Bespoke  the  power  abiding  in  the  gift — 

The  gift  that  comes  to  us  in  God's  good  way, 

A  guiding  star  by  night,  a  sun  by  day. 

And  we  have  felt  thy  tender  mother-love, 
That  broadened  in  our  souls  as  they  grew  more, 

Just  as  when  pebbles  strike  the  waves  above, 
The  widening  circles  kiss  the  outer  shore  ; 

Embracing  all  within  thy  watchful  care, 

The  least  one  in  the  fold  thy  love  might  share. 

And  now  at  last  life's  race  is  nobly  run, 
Life's  jeweled  crown  is  resting  on  thy  brow, 

Toward  the  west  thy  golden  setting  sun 
Appears  but  brighter  as  we  see  it  now  ; 

Life's  beating  waves  have  anchored  into  calm, 

Life's  undertones  have  blended  in  a  psalm. 


OUR  ROLL  CALL. 

T  ET  us  finish  the  work  we  have  nobly  begun, 

Let  us  cling  to  our  faith  till  the  victory  is  won, 
O  Christian  Believers  !  our  work  is  not  done, 
We  must  gather  more  into  the  fold. 


THE  INCREASE. 


219 


Lead  forth  in  the  march,  raise  our  voices  in  song, 
Remember  the  order  to  which  we  belong, 
Let  us  show  the  right  path  to  the  one  in  the  wrong, 
And  gather  more  souls  in  the  fold. 

'Gainst  caste  and  monopoly  conscience  must  fight, 
For  in  heart  and  hand  labor  we  know  we  are  right, 
Our  leaders  are  trusty,  they  walk  in  the  light, 
And  will  gather  more  into  the  fold. 

We  own  all  our  dwellings,  we  are  not  oppressed, 

We  labor  with  pleasure,  and  so  earn  our  rest, 

From  the  north  and  the  south,  from  the  east  and  the 

west, 
We  are  gathering  them  into  the  fold. 


THE  INCREASE. 

T  F  but  the  Polar  regions  we  had  known, 

How  could  we  paint  the  tropics  rich  and  rare  ? 
Or  of  a  strange  seed  sparsely  round  us  thrown, 

E'en  guess  the  harvest  that  it  yet  might  bear? 
The  lightning,  drawn  upon  a  single  string, 

Seemed  but  like  child's  play  in  the  years  gone  by, 
And  now  it  forms  for  earth  a  magic  ring, 

On  which  her  thoughts  and  interests  safely  fly. 
We  know  fair  Spring  and  sunny  Summer  hours, 

We  know  rich  Autumn  and  old  Winter  cold; 
But  there  are  round  us  and  within  us  powers 

We  can  not  know  till  they  their  life  unfold. 
We  may  not  tamper  with  the  lightning's  flame, 

Nor  gather  fruit  in  misty  blossom  time, 
Nor  from  green  summer,  autumn's  treasures  claim; 

But  we  must  wait  the  viewless  laws  sublime. 
The  earth  revolving  on  her  aerial  course, 

Or  turning  to  the  star-space,  or  the  sun, 
Receives  momentum  from  a  hidden  force, 

And  thus  secure,  her  dangerous  path  can  run. 


220  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

But  out  among  the  midnights  of  our  life, 

We  grope  in  darkness,  or  we  stand  in  tears; 
Contend  with  shadows,  wage  an  aimless  strife, 

Or  cowering,  shrink  before  our  gathered  fears. 
And  what  we  lack  is  Faith  that  can  confide, 

And  never  count  the  measure  of  its  trust; 
A  deep  reliance  spreading  far  and  wide, 

Till  doubt  and  disobedience  are  as  dust. 
And  then  the  heavenly,  hidden  law  can  take 

Our  willing  souls  to  govern  and  recast; 
No  lingering  weakness,  and  no  gloom  can  break 

Our  growing  prospects  in  the  future  vast. 


THE  VICTOR. 

I  IKE  a  brave  knight  in  panoply  of  war, 
He  laid  his  armor  by  with  kingly  grace; 

Life's  battles  he  has  fought,  and  run  the  race, 
And  nobly  won  the  garter  and  the  star. 
Bring  laurels  fair,  ye  sons  from  near  and  far! 

Bring  blossoms  rare,  O  daughters  to  this  place! 

Ye  see  no  more  the  patriarch's  sainted  face, 
With  shining  ones  his  soul  has  crossed  the  bar. 

Oh  long,  and  tried,  and  true  his  life  has  been, 
With  justice  he  has  wielded  trusted  power, 
With  righteousness  has  meted  out  his  dower; 

And,  guided  by  the  perfect  light  within 

Has  conquered  self  and  vanquished  every  sin, 
Has  wrought  for  good  each  passing  day  and  hour. 


SELF-DENIAL. 


SELF-DENIAL. 

MAN  has  failed  of  true  progression, 
Crippled  by  the  serpent's  bruise, 
Though  he  holds  in  his  possession 

Strength  that  he  has  but  to  use. 
'Tis  the  power  of  self-denial, 

Scholars,  statesmen,  know  its  worth; 
All  unquestioned  is  its  trial, 

In  the  outward  things  of  earth. 
He  who  seeks  for  star  or  planet, 

Will  not  join  the  midnight  dance; 
He  who  studies  plant  or  granite, 

Does  not  leave  his  thoughts  to  chance. 
There  is  system,  there  is  order, 

In  the  wondrous  realm  of  mind, 
Science's  far  extended  border 

Vanguards  forward  press  to  find. 
From  the  ruby  tide,  thought-freighted, 

Flowing  through  each  throbbing  frame, 
To  the  spirit  chained  and  grated 

By  the  griefs  without  a  name; 
From  the  mosses  on  the  mountain, 

To  the  sky's  bright  fleece  of  snow; 
From  the  bubbles  on  the  fountain, 

To  the  gems  the  oceans  know; 
From  the  wealth  that  heaven  discloses, 

To  the  riches  earth  conceals; 
All  proud  Intellect  encloses 

In  the  circle  of  his  seals. 
But  the  Soul  has  been  neglected 

In  this  royal,  mental  reign, 
Crushed,  unknown,  or  misdirected; 

Hers,  the  years  of  cloud  and  pain. 
Let  her  have  emancipation, 

Give  her  sunshine,  pure  and  warm; 
As  she  rises,  all  creation 

Will  assume  its  highest  form. 


MOU NT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Let  us  meet  in  council  holy, 

To  discuss  the  laws  of  heaven, 
Bravely,  yet  with  spirits  lowly, 

To  receive  the  truth  that's  given. 
Is  there  one  who  would  awaken, 

One  with  aspirations  true  ? 
Know,  the  heavens  and  earth  are  shaken, 

To  convey  this  call  to  you. 
Come!  O  come!  ere  yet  within  you 

Turns  to  darkness  every  gleam, 
Come!  the  angel  bands  would  win  you 

To  the  Life  of  which  you  dream. 


RESIGNATION. 

r\  LIVE  by  faith,  yea,  calmly  trust  and  wait, 
^^^     Nor  fret  for  that  which  time  may  yet  reveal, 

An  earnest  hope,  'tis  life  and  joy  to  feel, 
But  harsh  impatience  brings  no  happy  state. 
'Tis  best  to  work,  be  efforts  small  or  great, 

Self  sacrificing  for  another's  weal ; 

Then  God  who  feels  desire  may  soon  unseal 
Some  fount  of  bliss  and  open  heaven's  gate. 
When  frost  abounds,  we  wish  for  summer  air; 

When  storms  becloud,  we  long  for  sunny  light, 
When  blossoms  come,  we  want  the  fruitage  fair, 

But  wait  we  must,  God's  way  is  ever  right. 
Yea,  calm  content  with  patient  toil  and  prayer, 

Will  give  more  peace,  and  happier  thoughts  in 
vite. 


LENGTHENING  DAYS. 


223 


THE  NEW  YEAR. 

LJ  E  comes  to  us  in  regal  vesture  white, 

Laurelled  by  praise  and  song.     Already  now 
He  bears  aloft  the  palm,  and  on  his  brow 

He  wears  the  stars  that  crown  this  royal  night. 

The  moon  has  spread  her  carpet  of  soft  light, 
And  holly  boughs  are  trembling  overhead, 
While  he  advances  in  the  old  year's  stead, 

Which  like  a  king  subdued  retires  from  sight. 

His  jeweled  hand  holds  out  a  pearly  book, 

Offering  each  day  a  page  whereon  each  look, 
Each  thought  and  action  may  be  clearly  traced, 
Or  virtue's  golden  flowers  there  be  placed; 

Then  from  life's  blossoms  let  us  choose  the  best, 

And  leave  them  on  these  snowy  pages  pressed. 


LENGTHENING  DAYS. 

T  LOOK  abroad,  no  signs  of  summer  fall 
Upon  my  sight,  but  the  glad  happy  sun 
Shows  its  bright  face,  as  if  a  cheering  one 
Bound  close  in  the  strong  power  of  winter's  thrall 
Peered  through  the  fingers  of  his  ermine  shawl. 

The  day  grows  longer,  night,  the  black  draped  nun 

Is  slow  to  lower  her  veil,  the  light  to  shun, 
And  lifts  it  sooner  to  the  morning's  call. 
And  so  to  us,  as  life's  long  year  wheels  round, 

May  the  bright,  happy  hours  of  joy  increase, 
And  hope  with  trust  in  every  heart  be  found, 

Till  we  are  blest  with  lengthened  days  of  peace, 
When  with  the  love  of  God  our  hearts  abound, 

The  wrongs  that  pain  us  will  forever  cease. 


224  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THE  DEAD  YEAR. 

'"THE  year  is  gone,  its  griefs  and  sorrows  fled, 
Upon  a  marble  couch  in  royal  pride, 
It  yields  the  crown  and  sceptre  undenied. 
The  funeral  star-lights  burn  above  its  head, 
The  rosary  is  told,  the  prayers  are  said. 

Take  down  the  purple  drapery,  the  scarlet  hide, 
And  on  the  unstained  door  let  crape  be  tied, 
For  o'er  the  world  the  pall  of  death  is  spread. 
We  saw  its  last  day  sinking  in  the  west, 
Crimson  and  gold  were  lying  on  its  breast, 
No  trailing  wreath  of  rainbow  tints  we  bring, 
Vain  relic  of  the  long  departed  spring, 
Subdued  it  rests  in  simple  robes  of  white 
And  pearly  flowers  have  wove  themselves  of  light. 


THE  FROST  ON  THE   PANE. 

A  WAY  in  the  past,  though  I'm  not  so  old, 

Are  fantasies  strange  that  memories  hold  ; 
But  the  dearest  of  all  that  my  mind  retains 
Is  the  frosty  work  on  the  window  panes. 
For  hours  I've  stood  in  an  old  arm-chair 
When  a  wee,  happy  girl,  and  wondered  where 
Was  the  artist  who  drew  such  quaint  designs, 
Such  airy  castles  and  delicate  lines, 
And  how  did  he  work  when  the  night  time  came 
Without  pencil,  or  chalk,  or  candle  flame. 
But  the  old  folks  said,  when  I  older  grew 
I'd  study  the  science  of  frost  and  dew, 
'Twould  then  be  revealed  both  clear  and  plain 
The  wonderful  work  on  the  window  pane. 
But  I  shook  my  head  and  said  to  myself, 
"  I  think  it  is  some  good  fairy  elf 


THE  FROST  ON  THE  PANE. 


225 


Who  lives  mid  the  stars  or  over  the  sea, 

Perhaps  he  sleeps  in  an  old  hollow  tree, 

I'm  sure  he  is  brother  to  good  Saint  Nick, 

Who  at  Christmas  is  up  to  some  funny  trick  ; 

His  name,  where  he  lives,  in  what  street  or  lane 

He  never  has  signed  on  the  frosty  pane." 

And  now  for  the  scenes  of  the  long  ago, 

If  fancy  can  paint,  you  shall  surely  know 

Of  wonderful  things,  of  flowers  and  trees, 

Birdies  and  insects,  swift-flying  bees.  . 

Turbulent  oceans  and  rivers  serene, 

Whose  waters  were  sparkling  with  silvery  sheen. 

Mountains  and  valleys  and  prairie  lands, 

Steep  rocky  summits  and  glittering  strands. 

There  were  gems  that  flashed  in  the  sunbeam's  glare, 

Jewels  and  diamonds,  tinted  so  rare  ; 

Pearls  that  to  me  were  of  priceless  worth, 

Stars  in  the  firmament,  stars  on  the  earth, 

And  pillars  of  marble  pedestaled  high, 

Churches  with  steeples  that  pierced  the  blue  sky. 

And  like  King  Solomon's  temple  of  old, 

The  half,  yea  the  half  could  never  be  told. 

But  'tis  strange  to  say,  the  older  I  grew, 

Least  so  I  thought,  more  wonders  I  knew, 

And  knowledge  piled  into  a  school-girl's  brain, 

Was  often  rehearsed  on  the  frosty  pane. 

Latitude,  longitude,  changeable  zones, 

The  science  of  light,  of  minerals  and  stones  ; 

And  tropical  fields  with  their  blossoms  gay, 

Monkeys  and  parrots  that  climb  and  sway, 

And  fishes  that  live  in  the  stormy  main 

All  real  as  life  on  the  frosty  pane. 

Astronomy  too,  comes  in  for  a  share, 

I  know  there  was  Caseopia's  chair. 

The  Pleiades  sisters  of  charming  grace, 

And  Saturn's  rings  I  could  easily  trace, 

Bright  silvery  Venus,  the  virgin  star, 

And  the  war-god  Mars  flaming  afar. 


226  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOL'GHS. 

Botany  too,  T  had  almost  forgot, 

With  pistils  and  stamens  and  names  a  lot ; 

Indigenous  plants,  too  common  to  tell, 

Like  buttercups,  daisies  I  loved  so  well. 

Exotics  whose  home  was  a  wanner  clime 

Where  palm  trees  wave  through  a  long  summer  time. 

Mosses  and  lichens  of  beauteous  forms 

That  thrive  mid  the  snow  and  the  polar  storms  ; 

And  youthful  visions  of  future  years, 

Those  cloudless  days  without  sorrow  or  tears  ; 

And  hopes  that  were  bathed  in  a  rainbow  dye, 

All  to  be  known  in  the  far  bye  and  bye. 

If  any  moral  in  this  you  discern, 

O,  lay  it  to  heart  and  a  lesson  learn, 

For  like  all  transient  things  the  sunbeams  came 

And  melted  my  bliss  from  the  frosty  pane. 


STEAM    AND   WATER-WORKS —WHAT 
THEY  COST. 

UIRST  they  cost  a  pile  of  thought  and  dreams  out 

side  of  sleep, 
Then  consultations  with  the  wise  that  were  both  long 

and  deep  ; 
And  there  were  journeys  up  the  hills  and  likewise  down 

the  hollows, 
For  if  we  take  an  upward  path  descent  most  surely 

follows. 
It  seemed  to  uninstructed  minds  that  brethren  must  be 

playing 
With  instruments  of  various  kinds,  but  lo  !  they  were 

surveying. 

Well  then  they  figured,  scored  and  planned  on  horse 
block  and  on  gate-post, 
And  always  brought  their  board  in  hand  when  they  to 

meals  came,  late  most. 


STEAM  AND  WATER-WORKS. 


227 


At  length  we  heard  one  signal  night  that  it  was  done — 

on  paper, 
And  didn't  we  at  once  behold  the  horn  of  plenty's 

taper  ? 
We  knew  that  e'er  we  reached  the  fount  its  outlines 

would  be  swelling, 
And  we  were  all  demurely  mute  when  thinking  of  our 

dwelling. 
But  here's  a  problem  in  this  theme,  the  Deacons  might 

unlock  it, 
In  digging  drains,  do  men  begin  in  earth  or  in  the 

pocket  ? 
We  think  they  cut  the  pocket  first,  at  least  they  cut  the 

stitching 
That  smooths  and  sharpens  up  the  tools  and  makes 

them  fit  for  ditching. 
The  brethren's  wills  we  know  had  scope  for  when  their 

stakes  were  driven 
To  pull  them  up  there  was  no  hope  till  earth  and  rocks 

were  riven. 
They  said  with  Grant,  "  We'll  take  this  line,"  and  not 

employ  a  plumber, 
But  we  will  lay  the  pipes  ourselves  if  it  should  take  all 

summer. 
Well,  when  the  apple  crop  was  ripe  and  gleaning  had 

diminished, 
We  sisters  took  a  pleasant  ride  to  see  the  project 

finished. 
'Twas  said  in  olden  time  indeed  that  faith  would  move 

a  mountain, 
But  here  it  took  both  faith  and  works  to  even  reach  its 

fountain. 
We  found  it  nearly  to  the  brook  that  blithesomely  was 

humming, 
Not  even  dreaming  of  the  trap  that  to  its  brink  was 

coming. 

Yea,  it  was  finished  just  so  far,  yet  it  was  uncompleted, 
Like  life,  some  all  important  parts  were  not  yet  made 

to  meet  it. 


228  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  reservoir  was  quite  a  scrape,  they  never  had  a 

greater, 
They  dug  and  scooped  as  if  to  make  a  huge  volcanic 

crater  ; 
They  piled  the  stones,  they  heaped  the  clay,  but  e'er 

from  toil  they  rested, 
We  sisters  went  one  sunny  day  and  sang  to  them  and 

blessed  it. 
The  grove  was  fairly  cleft  in  two,  the  road  was  also 

parted, 
But  when  the  dooryard  you  came  to,  your  eyeballs 

must  have  started  ; 
You  might  have  thought  of  York  Town's  plight  before 

it  was  vacated, 
With  heavy  earth-works  left  and  right  in  which  Mac- 

Clellan  waited. 
Of  course  the  house  was  undermined,  and   in  some 

places  entered, 
Where'er  these  zigzags  seemed  to  wind  'twas  to  the 

house  they  centered. 
If  man  was  made  of  dust,  as  said,  we  judge  he  must 

have  floated, 
But  his  descendents  firmly  tread  when  they  with  mud 

are  coated. 
The  cellar  was  a  forging  place,  although  no  rogues 

were  in  it, 

It  counterfeited  every  sound  from  anvil  jar  to  linnet. 
And  all  the    intermediate  clang    of   racket    and    of 

screaking 
Made  new  confusion  night  and  day  ;  now  this  is  mildly 

speaking. 
For  many  a  night  the  still  small  hours  were  small 

without  the  stillness, 

While  croaking  prophecy  was  heard  predicting  length 
ened  illness. 
The  coils  were  down  the  chimney  put  while  bitter  winds 

were  blowing, 
The  brethren  then  were  dressed  in  soot  from  which  red 

lead  was  glowing. 


STEAM  AND  WATER-WORKS. 


229 


We  had  to  guess,  we  were  not  told,  that  they  the  flues 

descended, 
They  were  so  curious  to  behold  as  round  about  they 

wended. 

The  explanations  which  they  made,  oblivion  has  re 
corded, 
But  patience  which  will  never  fade  was  to  their  souls 

awarded. 
And  if  the  dooryard  was  cut  up  with  tunnels  and  with 

trenches, 
The  hills  were  heaped  with  loads  of  boards,  pipes,  tools 

and  workmen's  benches. 
And  what  we  saw  was  but  a  tithe  of  what  they  knew 

who  did  it, 
But  when  they  were  the  most  perplexed  they  smiled 

and  kindly  hid  it. 
Ah  well,  we  can  not  count  the  cost,  though  for  that  end 

we  started, 
There's  but  a  rough  sketched  estimate  in  all  we  have 

imparted. 
In  days  of  drugs  and  pounds  of  cure  there  was  a  wise 

invention 
To  give  the  ounce  a  preference  sure  when  taken  as 

prevention. 
The  bath  we  know  will  henceforth  keep  the  vital  tide 

in  motion, 

Its  home  significance  is  deep  as  level  waves  of  ocean 
Thus  in  the  value  of  the  works  for  comfort,  health  and 

blessing, 
A  most  confusing  problem  lurks  that  baffles  all  our 

guessing. 
We  can  not  count  the  labor  done,  we  can  not  count  the 

wages, 
Then  it  a  debt  of  Peace  must  run  with  interest  through 

the  ages, 

Which  we  will  pay  in  gold  of  love,  the  coin  of  conse 
cration, 
And  our  own  loyalty  will  prove  in  every  walk  and 

station. 


230  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THANKSGIVING. 

DRIDE  spurns  thanksgiving,  but  the  humble  mind 

Rich  cause  of  gratitude  can  ever  find  ; 
God's  mercies  fall  like  blessings  day  by  day, 
And  manna-strewn  is  life's  once  barren  way. 
No  carping  thought,  nor  yet  imagined  ill 
The  thankful  soul  with  murmuring  can  fill, 
For  good  within,  attracts  the  good  without, 
And  faith  uplifting  soars  beyond  all  doubt. 
Though  darkling  clouds  o'er»pread  the  arching  skies, 
God's  goodness  every  shadow  underlies, 
And  shines  above  our  nature's  changeful  mood, 
Illumes  with  peace  the  dreariest  solitude. 
The  proud  heart  like  the  shallow  pool  is  found, 
The  rains  of  heaven  but  stir  its  muddy  ground, 
The  purest  drops  commingle  with  the  tide 
Where  basest  dregs  of  sinfulness  abide  ; 
No  hallowed  light  reflects  upon  its  face 
The  tender  mercies  of  redeeming  grace. 
Give  me  the  grateful  heart,  in  which  the  good 
Is  perfume  of  exhaling  gratitude, 
Which  cherishes  the  smallest  blessings  given, 
And  sees  in  lowliest  things  the  gifts  of  Heaven. 


WHAT  HATH  THE  STRUGGLE  AVAILED? 

|\A  Y  heart  was  weary  with  sadness, 

My  hands  were  tired  with  their  toil, 
My  eyes  saw  no  sunshine  of  gladness, 

My  feet  trod  on  rough,  sandy  soil. 
I  sat  alone  in  my  chamber, 

While  thoughts  dark  and  lonely  assailed, 
And  I  asked  of  myself  this  close  question, 

What  good  hath  the  struggle  availed  ? 


WHA  T  HA  TH  THE  STRUGGLE  A  VAILED  ? 

What  bliss  hath  it  brought  to  my  spirit  ? 

What  clouds  hath  it  chased  far  away  ? 
What  reward  do  my  toilings  all  merit? 

What  gifts  will  my  labors  repay  ? 
As  I  sat  alone  in  my  chamber 

This  answer  o'er  others  prevailed, 
If  any  wise  lesson's  been  taught  you, 

Thus  far  hath  the  struggle  availed. 

The  gayest  of  hearts  oft  need  sorrow, 

And  tears  that  are  holy  must  flow, 
But  joy  waits  the  glad  coming  morrow, 

And  sunshine  resplendent  will  glow. 
The  hands  that  are  weary  with  toiling, 

Though  oft  to  the  cross  they  are  nailed, 
Will  accomplish  some  righteous  deeds  for  you, 

Some  good  that  your  works  have  availed. 

The  darkness  that  rests  on  your  vision 

Comes  only  from  shadows  within  ; 
Lift  up  the  thin  veil,  and  the  sunlight 

With  the  glory  of  peace  will  shine  in. 
The  eye  is  the  light  of  your  being, 

Keep  its  sight  to  God's  blessing  unveiled, 
And  then  you  will  see  that  your  struggles 

Have  many  rich  conquests  availed. 

Did  you  say  that  your  feet  walked  the  lonely 

And  rough  rugged  pathway  of  woe  ? 
There  was  never  a  road  where  grew  only 

The  sweet  thornless  roses,  you  know. 
If  the  goal  of  the  blest  is  worth  gaining, 

Why  murmur  at  trifles  you  meet? 
Why  don  the  dark  grave  clothes  of  mourning 

Because  the  rough  thorns  pierce  your  feet  ? 

There  is  no  royal  road  to  progression, 
There  is  no  starlit  pathway  to  bliss, 

There  are  many  rewards  for  true  labor  ; 
But  the  sweetest  are  only  in  this  ; 


231 


232 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CliDAK  POCGHS. 

Work  nobly  and  truly  for  others, 

Though  oft  you  have  tried  and  have  failed, 
Then  each  diligent  earnest  endeavor 

Will  prove  what  the  strife  hath  availed. 


THY  WILL  BE  DONE. 

f~\  LORD,  unto  Thine  altar  pure  I  bring 
Each  cherished  idol  for  an  offering, 
That  through  Thy  love  my  soul  may  chastened  be 
And  though  the  sacrifice  be  hard  for  me 

Pray  that  Thy  will  be  done. 

If  bitterness  my  cup  of  life  should  fill, 
With  trusting  heart  I  will  accept  it  still, 
Endure  the  cross  and  trial,  for  at  length 
I   know  will  come  the  love,  the  power  and  strength 
To  say  Thy  will  be  done. 

And  whatsoever  I  must  feel  and  do 
I  know  Thy  holy  power  will  help  me  through, 
Make  light  my  burdens  and  relieve  my  care 
And  give  the  gifts  that  I  should  ever  wear, 

But  let  Thy  will  be  done. 

Though  roses  crushed  lie  withering  at  my  feet 
There  yet  remains  a  perfume  pure  and  sweet, 
And  though  life's  joys  sometimes  may  clouded  be 
A  sincere  prayer  ascends  O  Lord  to  Thee 

To  let  Thy  will  be  done. 

O  push  aside  the  curtains  dark  and  grey, 

Throw  back  the  blinds  of  doubt  that  dim  the  way,. 

Let  in  the  rosy  hues  of  fadeless  light, 

Seek  to  unfold  the  real  the  inner  sight 

And  pray  Thy  will  be  done. 


THE  CHURCHES  OF  OUR  LAND. 


233 


O  may  I  gain  that  holiness  of  life 

That  sanctifies  the  soul  and  saves  from  strife, 

And  in  the  spirit  of  pure  love  divine 

On  bended  knee  at  truth's  most  sacred  shrine 

Know  that  Thy  will  is  done. 


THE  CHURCHES  OF  OUR  LAND. 

T  OUD  ring  their  bells,  and  loud  their  organ  tones 

Pour  the  grand  anthems  that  by  Art  were  given. 
Wealth, learning.eloquence,  their  proud  dominion  owns, 

But  what  of  God,  of  Life,  of  Love,  of  Heaven  ? 
A  seeming  fitness  blends  all  outward  things, 

Concordant  sounds  and  softly  mellowed  light ; 
We  almost  list  the  rush  of  angels'  wings, 

And  watch  for  saints  in  radiant  robes  of  white. 

Can  heaped-up  shams  the  Infinite  allure, 

Or  flattery  charm  the  all-embracing  mind  ? 
Can  systems  that  oppress  and  spurn  the  poor 

Be  brought  to  God,  and  His  acceptance  find? 
Is  he  deceived  by  fashion,  pomp,  and  show? 

Can  grandeur  hide  disease,  deceit  and  sin  ? 
May  every  wickedness  the  heart  can  know 

Come  to  these  temples  and  gain  entrance  in  ? 

If  stern,  misguided  hearts  go  forth  no  more 

The  Martyr's  unrelenting  fire  to  light ; 
If  ruthless  persecution  cease  to  pour 

Its  venomed  darts  with  wild  inhuman  might, 
Does  there  abound  that  precious  gift  of  God — 

Faith  in  the  good  that  is,  and  that  which  yet  may  be? 
Is  Christlike  charity  their  basis  broad  ? 

And  is  their  focus  —  Truth  —  unmarred  and  free  ? 

When  youthful  manhood,  full  of  noble  zeal 
An  offering  makes  of  his  unfolding  life, 

Is  there  an  inspiration  he  can  feel 

To  meet  his  ardor  and  award  his  strife  ? 


234 


MOC.\T  L  KB  A. \'OX  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


And  does  the  soul  of  woman  bear  no  fruit,    * 
Nor  spread  its  branches  like  the  olive  tree  ? 

Beneath  the  ban  that  bade  her  to  be  mute, 
Must  her  expanding  powers  forever  be  ? 

Ah,  is  the  altar's  sacred  fire  dead? 

Can  souls  no  longer  meet  the  Spirit  there  ? 
Doth  Pride  with  mockery  give  stones  for  bread, 

And  scorpion  answer  to  the  cry  for  care  ? 
Our  prayer  ascends,  O  be  it  thus  no  more  ; 

Come,  sweet  refreshing  from  the  Source  Divine, 
And  spread  true  Brotherhood  "the  wide  world  o'er," 

Which  poet-prophets  saw  in  "  auld  lang  syne." 

Let  Truth  reveal  to  science  Nature's  laws, 

Let  faith  not  die  'mid  superstitions  dim  ; 
For  truth  and  science  both  shall  seek  the  cause 

That  gave  all  souls  one  universal  hymn. 
Write  God,  write  Goodness  on  the  nation's  heart, 

Not  with  a  legal  pen  by  man's  decree, 
But  let  iniquity  the  land  depart, 

And  make  the  young  Republic  pure  and  free. 


SPEAK,    LORD,   TO   ME. 

C  PEAK,  Lord,  to  me,  and  show 

Thy  law  divine  ; 
My  inner  soul  would  know 

Thy  will,  not  mine. 
The  carnal  mind  may  shun 

The  cross,  the  light, 
Again  to  Thee  I  come, 

Lead  me  aright. 

O,  send  Thy  chastening  grace 

And  holy  fire, 
Consume  each  darkened  trace 

Of  sin's  desire. 


THE  NEW  FLAG. 

Serenely  I  will  stand 

In  armor  bright, 
With  sword  of  truth  in  hand 

Defend  the  right. 

Speak  Lord,  Thy  words  repeat, 

Give  life  to-day ; 
Thy  whispering  voice  so  sweet 

I  will  obey. 
Though  lingering  shadows  fall 

Across  time's  vale, 
If  Christ  is  all  in  all 

Strength  will  prevail. 

O,  when  I  walk  in  hope 

And  heaven's  light, 
In  doubt  I  need  not  grope, 

In  error's  night ; 
Perfect  Thy  grace  in  me, 

Thy  power  and  life, 
And  make  me  one  in  Thee, 

Through  holy  strife. 


235 


THE   NEW   FLAG. 

MO  flag  of  peace  the  earth  hath  ever  known, 

E'en  Freedom's  voice  was  in  the  martial  key 
And  revolutions,  death  and  havoc  strown 
Flung  up  the  paths  for  nations  to  be  free. 

But  History's  pages  tell  us  o'er  and  o'er 
That  war-won  liberty,  the  sword  must  shield, 

That  freedom  sown  in  dew  of  human  gore 
Brings  forth  the  harvest  of  the  battle-field. 

When  carnage  ceases  from  his  work  of  spoil 
'Tis  but  to  fashion  deadly  weapons  new  ; 

To  teach  his  hellish  arts  to  sons  of  toil, 
Then  with  their  blood  the  earth  again  imbue. 


236  MO  UN  T  LEBANON  CEDA  R  BOL  'GHS. 

He  counts  on  labor  for  his  rank  and  file, 
The  landless  wealth  producers  are  his  prey  ; 

But  they  who  bask  in  fortune's  crafty  smile 
Bear  off  the  laurels  of  each  sanguine  day. 

A  few  ambitious  monsters  of  the  world 
Who  personate  the  fiendish  crime  of  greed, 

Conspire  to  have  the  battle-flag  unfurled 

And  draw  their  victims  from  the  realms  of  need. 

All  governments  on  force  and  fraud  are  built, 
On  theft  and  violence  they  tottering  stand  ; 

What  drives  the  sword  of  conquest  to  the  hilt? 
The  lust  for  land,  monopoly  of  land. 

O  if  the  nations  e'er  learn  war  no  more 

And  pruning-hooks  and  ploughshares  are  of  worth, 
All  despots,  all  usurpers  must  restore 

Man's  rightful  heritage,  the  earth,  the  earth. 

On  that  foundation,  soon  for  peace  will  gleam 
A  temple  worthy,  prominent  and  grand  ; 

A  temple  with  foundations,  not  a  dream  — 
A  structure  built  upon  the  solid  land. 

But  ere  that  day,  will  come  a  wondrous  light 

That  will  not  be  of  either  sun  or  moon, 
The  presence  of  the  Lord,  His  power  and  might, 

The  peace  of  God,  His  soul-exalting  boon. 

We  will  take  courage  even  in  our  tears, 
We  will  take  courage  in  our  yearning  toil ; 

We  will  unite  and  through  the  coming  years 
No  powers  of  darkness  shall  our  efforts  foil. 

Though  clouds  of  death  along  our  course  are  furled 
Our  consecrated  labors  must  not  cease, 

Until  above  this  war-distracted  world 
Shall  flash  the  snowy  ensign  of  sweet  peace. 


THE  MILLENNIAL   TIME.  337 


THE   MILLENNIAL  TIME. 

'"THE  ancient  races  versed  in  mystic  lore, 

The  great  souled  ones  on  whom  God's  glory  shone, 
Have  left  to  us  who  tread  time's  present  shore 
Their  wisdom  traced  on  brass  or  moldering  stone. 

The  forms  of  life,  the  motions  of  the  stars, 

The  open  secrets  of  the  earth  and  sea, 
Were  but  the  outer  and  dividing  bars 

O'er  which  to  climb  and  learn  each  mystery. 

With  patient  zeal  to  fathom  every  thought, 
And  bring  their  treasures  upward  to  the  light ; 

To  magnify  the  truth  by  Nature  taught, 
And  stamp  it  with  the  holy  seal  of  right. 

In  Aryan  forests  by  the  cooling  streams, 
'Neath  shady  branches  of  the  sacred  trees, 

The  learned  Hindoos  searched  their  mystic  dreams, 
And  demonstrated  life's  realities. 

Or  in  the  temple,  safe  from  vulgar  eyes, 
Discoursed  the  sacred  office  of  the  soul  ; 

And  caused  the  spirit  to  materialize, 
Thus  made  its  secrets  but  an  open  scroll. 

And  through  the  gift  of  prophecy,  foretold 
A  perfect  time  when  righteousness  would  reign  ; 

When  each  his  human  brother  would  enfold 
In  loving  arms,  dispelling  every  pain. 

When  unto  earth  the  Saving  One  would  come, 
And  bring  to  them  the  sought-for  law  of  good, 

When  doubting  lips  would  all  be  stricken  dumb, 
Before  the  glory  of  its  magnitude. 


238  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  Moslem  dreamed  of  Gardens  where  the  blest 
Found  for  their  senses  every  rare  delight. 

And  Egypt's  trusting  children  longed  for  rest 
In  God's  Great  Spirit  where  there  is  no  night. 

And  Chaldean  shepherds  watching  on  the  hill 

Divined  the  ages'  culminating  plan, 
When  sun  and  stars  should  all  their  orbits  fill, 

Then  saving  power  would  come  to  erring  man. 

'Tis  native  to  the  heart  to  have  some  goal ; 

Some  brighter  hope  beyond  the  dull  to-day  ; 
Some  higher  aspiration  of  the  soul 

To  keep  it  climbing  up  the  unknown  way. 

The  light  of  faith  can  not  be  dulled  with  years, 
And  love  must  bear  and  suffer  for  the  right ; 

God's  truth  will  shine  a  beacon  o'er  man's  fears, 
His  promised  blessing  ne'er  will  leave  our  sight. 

'Tis  still  before  us  like  the  guiding  star, 
That  led  the  ancient  ones  to  seek  the  Child 

In  Bethlehem's  quiet  village,  where  from  far 
It  dropped  its  radiance  over  wold  and  wild. 

The  same  glad  impulse  stirs  our  wondering  lives  ; 

The  same  heart-throbs  give  courage  to  our  feet ; 
The  same  dear  lesson  time's  swift  years  survives  ; 

The  same  fair  promise  is  our  solace  sweet. 

We  see  with  undimmed  eyes  the  time  to  be, 
With  the  prophetic  vision  of  the  past, 

And  prophets  will  arise  to  further  see 
The  progress,  which  though  good,  will  never  last, 

For  every  age  must  have  its  meed  of  strife, 

Its  brave  enlightened  souls,  its  priests  and  seers, 

Must  have  its  aspirations  for  new  life, 

Must  have  its  time  of  sun,  its  time  of  tears. 


TRUE  WEALTH. 


239 


Then  let  us  labor  for  the  weal  of  each, 

And  seek  the  truth  from  Heaven's  height  sublime  ; 
Thus  shall  our  lives  the  grandest  lesson  teach, 

And  help  to  bring  the  glad  Millennial  Time. 


TRUE  WEALTH. 

DE  my  mind  a  sacred  treasury 

Stored  with  gems  and  diamonds  bright, 
Where  no  dross  shall  ever  gather 
That  would  dim  their  lustrous  light. 

Garnered  there  the  wealth  of  knowledge, 
Truth  and  Wisdom's  golden  sheaves, 

Richest  fruits  and  fragrant  flowers, 
Not  alone  life's  fading  leaves. 

Walls  of  sapphire  form  the  chambers 

By  eternal  Goodness  made, 
I  will  fill  this  heavenly  structure 

With  the  sunshine,  not  the  shade. 

I  will  hang  it  round  with  pictures 

That  shall  give  me  joy  to  see, 
Not  the  imagery  of  demons 

That  would  haunt  and  follow  me. 

Like  the  ghosts  in  ancient  story, 
Protean  forms  of  passions  base, 

Sordid  loves  and  gross  desires, 
These  the  temple  would  deface. 

Innocence  and  pure  affection, 
Deeds  in  consecration  wrought, 

Holy  thoughts  and  aspirations, 
To  this  temple  shall  be  brought. 


240 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Germs  of  good  my  soul  shall  cherish, 
Spurn  the  false  and  prize  the  true, 

Look  beyond  the  things  that  perish 
Where  bright  glories  rise  to  view. 

Brighter  now  appears  the  prospect, 
And  the  angel  life  is  mine; 

Growth  and  progress  are  eternal, 
In  the  spheres  of  truth  divine. 


RELIANCE. 

A  S  lifts  the  lily's  snowy  cup 

To  drink  the  dews  of  heaven, 
So  turns  the  chalice  .of  my  heart 
For  love  as  freely  given. 

Let  fall  into  my  soul,  O  Lord, 
Refining  grace  and  power, 

That  every  motive  be  to  Thee 
A  holy  fragrant  flower. 

And  every  thought  be  at  Thy  feet 

Like  pearly  petals  shed, 
And  every  impulse  of  my  heart 

To  holiness  be  wed. 

And  when  the  harvest  time  of  life 
Brings  its  reward,  the  best 

I'll  lay  upon  Thine  altar  Lord, 
O  be  my  offering  blessed. 


WORDS  OF  CHEER. 


WORDS  OF  CHEER. 

'THERE  are  brilliant  eyes  that  are  wet 

With  tears  that  are  hard  to  dry, 
And  many  a  glad  hope  has  set 
Like  a  star  in  the  midnight  sky. 

There  is  many  a  heart  made  void 
Of  the  freshness  that  life  demands; 

There  is  many  a  soul  destroyed 
By  cruel  adversity's  hands. 

But  those  who  are  true  to  the  test 
That  tries  them  as  heat  tries  the  gold, 

Will  find  the  severe  way  the  best, 
The  narrow  path  leads  to  God's  fold. 

All  tear-drops  are  sacredly  kept 
In  sympathy's  deep  golden  urn, 

Lost  stars  over  which  we  have  wept 
In  beauty  again  will  return. 

Calamity  prove  but  a  tent 

Where  angels  may  dwell  in  disguise, 
Awaiting  with  messages  sent 

From  Him  whose  chastisings  are  wise. 

Cheer  up  then  whatever  betide, 

Nor  mind  when  the  shadows  are  given, 

The  clouds  that  are  dark  the  earth  side 
Are  gold  on  the  side  toward  heaven. 

The  flowers  that  grow  in  the  shade 
Are  modest,  and  fairer  than  those 

That  flaunt  for  an  hour  and  fade, 
The  violet  rivals  the  rose. 


241 


242  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Then  bear  up  and  master  your  fear. 

And  trust  to  the  Lord  who  will  bless, 
For  while  the  warm  sunlight  is  here, 

Your  sorrow  must  surely  grow  less. 


POET  AND  PROPHET. 

/^\H  mighty  prophet — soul  of  love  and  song; 
Thou  rapt  interpreter  of  truth  divine, 

What  other  heart  could  echo  songs  like  thine? 
Thy   words  struck   vengeance,    for  their  might    was 

strong 
Against  oppression  in  its  court  of  wrong. 

Like  wintry  starlight  o'er  the  groves  of  pine, 

Thine  eyes  beheld  the  light  of  freedom  shine 
O'er  ranks  of  slavery's  sin-beclouded  throng; 
And  when  thy  magic  fingers  touched  the  keys 

Of  time's  great  organ,  lo,  the  concert  chord 
Struck  the  true  note  to  life's  grand  symphonies 

And  rolled  the  finished  anthem  to  the  Lord. 
And,  with  thy  knees  upon  faith's  altar  stair 
Thy  gentle  soul  communed  with  God  through  prayer. 


COMMUNION. 

A  ROUND  my  soul  is  gently  drawn  a  veil  that  screens 
From  outward  things  which  claim  the  heart  and 

will; 

My  ear  and  vision  ope  to  heavenly  sounds  and  scenes, 
While  earthly  din  and  tumult  all  are  still. 

O  gentle  calm,  serene  and  holy  stillness  blest! 

What  sweet  communiqn  now  my  spirit  holds 
With  one  who  hovers  near,  an  ever  welcome  guest, 

Who  tenderly  in  love  my  heart  enfolds. 


COMMUNION. 


243 


My  blessed  angel  guide,  and  watcher  ever  near, 
My  constant  friend  and  helper  through  each  strife; 

To  thee  my  inmost  thoughts  and  motives  all  are  clear — 
Those  hidden  springs  that  move  the  wheels  of  life. 

Thou  knowest  all  my  faults;  how  oft  my  feet  have 
strayed, 

Or  slipped  when  steep  and  rugged  seemed  the  way; 
And  how  my  soul  hath  wept, the  struggles  I  have  made 

To  mend  the  past  and  truer  live  each  day. 

Through   darkness  and  through  light,  thy  presence  I 

have  felt, 

In  joy  or  grief,  as  right  or  wrong  I've  turned; 
And  known  that  thou  wast  near,  when  secretly  I've 

knelt 
To  seek  the  conquering  power  for  which  I  yearned. 

And  when  with  searching  eye,  I've  turned  those  pages 

o'er, 

Whereon  life's  changeless  records  all  appear, 
Thy  gift  hath  helped  me  learn  the  lessons  which  they 

bore, 
When  in  the  light  of  truth  they  were  made  clear. 

And  with  me  thou  hast  gone  beneath  that  river's  tide, 
Which  cleanseth  e'en  the  memory  from  sin; 

And  on  its  sunlit  banks  where  blessed  ones  abide, 
Hath  helped  me  gain  those  gifts  the  purified  may  win. 

Most  grateful  for  thine  aid,  but  needing  still  thy  care, 
I  ask  anew  the  strength  which  thou  canst  give 

To  fortify  my  soul,  God's  searching  truth  to  bear, 
That  ever  to  His  honor  I  may  live. 


244  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOl'GHS. 


"NOTHING  NEW." 

'THE  universal  circle  marks 

Creation's  perfect  whole, 
From  worlds  ensphered  in  belted  zones 

To  life  that  crowns  the  soul. 

A  wise  man  of  the  centuries  past 

In  taking  life's  review, 
Proclaimed  that  all  earth's  history 

Presented  nothing  new. 

And  so  we  ask,  is  there  a  thought 

Or  word  still  unexpressed? 
A  fountain  sealed  that  has  not  gushed 

Within  some  human  breast? 

Is  there  a  light  or  depth  untouched, 

Some  secret  hidden  plan, 
To  yet  unfold  within  the  grasp 

Of  ever  reaching  man  ? 

The  mines  of  knowledge  still  unsprung, 

Would  seem  but  buried  lore, 
When  brought  to  view  the  thing  that's  new 

Lo!  it  was  known  before. 

The  life  \ve  live  is  but  one  grand 

Rehearsal  of  the  past. 
The  very  motives  of  our  souls 

In  ancient  mold  were  cast. 

For  human  nature  is  the  same 

To-day  as  yesterday; 
The  treadmill  of  old  time  moves  to 

The  same  dull  roundelay. 


"NOTHING  NEW." 

The  mighty  forces  of  the  soul 

Well  up  and  overflow, 
In  streams  whose  currents,  swiftly  on 

Through  deepening  channels  go. 

The  fevered  tide  of  human  life 

Bears  not  upon  its  waves 
The  power  that  lifts  immortal  souls, 

The  strength  that  heals  and  saves. 

The  savage  though  untutored  still, 

With  gifts  of  nature  blest, 
In  his  sublime  simplicity, 

Rears  truth  within  his  breast. 

While  he  who  claims  a  fairer  face 
And  broader  cultured  mind, 

Will  prostitute  the  noblest  gifts 
That  Heaven  for  good  designed. 

And  thus  it  seems,  that  all  the  dreams 
Of  progress  we  have  made, 

When  pressed  to  stern  reality, 
Like  fitful  fancies  fade. 

For  misery  and  crime  increase, 

In  ratio  with  the  light, 
Where  good  is  found  doth  sin  abound, 

The  wrong  pursues  the  right. 

Thus  quickened  mind  inventive  plies 

Its  skill  in  many  ways; 
Devising  schemes  in  which  to  win 

The  prize  that  self  repays. 

How  vain  ambition  crushes  out 

The  equal  rights  of  man; 
How  bitter  discord  mars  the  peace 

Of  nation,  home  and  clan. 


245 


346  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

And  what  we  gain  through  toil  and  pain 
But  trembles  'neath  the  power 

Usurped  by  those  who  sceptres  wield 
To  triumph  but  an  hour. 

Religion,  sovereign  in  the  race, 

Still  seeks  expression  free; 
But  cramped  and  bound  with  fetters  strong 

Holds  not  its  liberty. 

And  the  experience  of  the  past, 
Though  changed  the  form  it  wears, 

Is  but  the  cry  of  burdened  toil 
Through  life's  increasing  cares. 

Here  generations  come  and  go, 

Whose  life  seejns  but  a  day, 
Vast  empires  from  the  dust  arise 

To  perish  and  decay. 

Why  boast  of  prestige,  wealth  or  power  ? 

Why  glory  in  a  name  ? 
For  all  of  earth  to  earth  returns, 

Man  goes  from  whence  he  came. 

And  round  and  round  the  ages  roll, 

The  seasons  onward  flow, 
Yet  "  vanity  of  vanities  " 

Are  all  things  here  below. 

"  'Tis  hope  eternal  "  that  illumes 

And  gladdens  all  our  strife, 
And  righteousness  alone  can  give 

The  bliss  of  higher  life. 


A  PR  A  YER  FOR  RAIN.  247 


HEAVENLY  LIGHT. 

T^HE  shafts  of   the   morning — bright   sunbeams  of 

day— 

Too  soon  from  the  sky  fade  like  visions  away, 
And  fair  sunset  glories  melt  in  the  twilight 
While  softly  drops  o'er  us  the  curtains  of  night. 

The  star-lighted  heaven's  expanse  we  behold 
Like  a  vast  scene  in  grandeur  and  beauty  unrolled, 
Thus  are  we  surrounded  by  day  and  by  night 
With  blessings  unfolding,  to  gladden  our  sight. 

And  while  thus  enveloped  in  sunshine  and  shade. 
With  glory  reflecting  from  hill-top  and  glade, 
We'll  look  to  the  fountain  whence  light  has  its  birth, 
And  gather  the  rays  that  illume  the  new  earth. 

Our  souls  shall  rejoice  in  a  heavenly  light, 

And  stand  in  its  brightness  redeemed  from  all  blight, 

Xo  longer  enshrouded  by  darkness  within, 

We'll  rest  in  the  joy  of  a  life  free  from  sin. 


-*- 


A  PRAYER  FOR  RAIN. 

""THE  earth  is  famished,  Father  send  Thy  rain! 

In  guise  of  prayer  Thy  children  come  to  Thee, 
Before  Thy  presence  suppliants  we  remain, 
Prone  to  the  earth  with  bended  brow  and  knee. 

Stretch  forth  Thy  hand,  the  glorious  works  of  Thine 
Are  fainting  in  the  land  Thou  gavest  them; 

And  from  the  sun-tipped  spires  of  oak  and  pine 
Sounds  forth  creation's  solemn  requiem. 


248  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Beneath,  the  withering  forms  of  grass  and  grain 
Fall  as  though  smitten  by  the  yellow  breath 

That  blows  across  Arabia's  fair  domain, 
And  carries  in  its  travel  blight  and  death. 

Smite  once  again  the  heavens!  send  forth  the  flash 
Of  liquid  fire  across  the  slumbering  clouds; 

Send  down  the  thunder  with  awakening  crash. 
And  after  that  the  rain-spun  winding  shrouds. 

Like  Jacob  we  will  wrestle  with  Thee  still, 
E'en  to  the  breaking  of  the  tearful  day, 

Until  to  us  in  concord  with  Thy  will, 
The  blessing  comes  for  which  we  toil  and  pray. 

O  Lord,  increase  our  faith!  we  truly  need 
The  faith  that  taught  the  prophets  long  ago; 

Strike  from  our  hearts  the  bitter,  baneful  weed, 
And  in  its  place  Thy  holier  virtues  sow. 

Weak,  erring, -conscious  of  our  human  sin, 
Thy  helping  power  of  wondrous  love  we  feel, 

And  with  a  sense  of  unearned  grace  within, 
Our  very  weakness  strengthens  our  appeal. 

We  stand  in  ignorance  before  the  law 
That  made  the  sunbeams  and  the  cooling  drops, 

That  made  the  heavens  without  fault  or  flaw, 
That  made  the  earth  to  yield  her  golden  crops. 

But  this  we  know  by  intuition's  light, 

That  not  a  sparrow  falls  without  Thy  care, 

That  not  an  earth-born  soul  escapes  Thy  sight, 
That  answer  comes  to  every  trustful  prayer. 

And  as  the  path  of  duty  grows  more  clear, 
Incline  our  hearts  to  search  Thy  mystic  ways, 

To  come  to  Thee  in  harmony,  not  fear, 
To  bring  life's  discords  into  tuneful  praise. 


AFTER   THE  RAIN. 


249 


Then  shall  we  know  the  law  that  rules  the  stars, 
That  rules  the  earth,  and  by  Thy  grace  shall  win 

The  God-like  power  that  will  uplift  the  bars, 
That  every  good  we  need  may  enter  in. 

Then  hear  our  humble  prayer,  the  gift  is  Thine, 
To  give  or  take,  to  judge  or  to  atone; 

We  are  but  units  in  the  plan  divine, 
The  power  and  glory  Lord,  are  Thine  alone. 


AFTER  THE  RAIN. 


DHYTHMIC  sounds  of  dripping,  dropping 

From  a  million  quivering  leaves, 
Diamond  points  each  grass-blade  topping, 
Rustling  of  the  ripening  sheaves. 

Lily-cups  with  nectar  bending, 
Violets  low  with  glistening  eyes,   . 

Sunny  smiles  with  tear-drops  blending 
Wreathing  earth,  and  air,  and  skies. 

Sunshine  quivering  through  the  rifting 
And  the  scattering  of  the  clouds; 

Through  the  valley  light  mists  drifting, 
Looking  just  like  fairy  shrouds. 

Down  the  hillsides  full  and  gushing, 
Laughing  streams  in  gladness  flow, 

Bright-eyed  daisies  lightly  brushing 
Tall  grass  in  the  meads  below. 

Now  the  woods  seem  grander,  greener, 

Fresher  in  their  somber  mood, 
Nature's  face  with  look  serener 

Wears  a  smile  of  gratitude. 


250  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Hark!  the  sound  of  gladsome  voices 
From  the  leafy  grove  and  bower; 

All  creation's  heart  rejoices 
In  the  sweet  refreshing  shower. 


LILIES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

COLD  up  the  sable  robes  that  grief  has  worn, 
And  with  them  hide  the  mourner's  veil  away, 

For  these  white  lilies  blossomed  in  that  day 
When  from  our  midst  the  loving  one  was  borne. 
With  them  we  fringed  the  pall  and  wound  the  bier, 

And  decked  the  pillow  where  the  dear  head  lay, 

Within  their  sacred  presence  knelt  to  pray, 
And  mingle  with  their  sweets  the  bitter  tear. 
And  now  we  seek  to  gain  the  goal  of  life 

Within  the  merits  these  pure  flowers  possess, 
With  love  and  innocence  we  find  them  rife, 

Their  fullest  gift,  return  of  happiness. 
Joy  fills  our  hearts,  there  is  no  fear  of  strife, 

For  they  are  here  again  to  cheer  and  bless. 


THE  TUBE  ROSE. 

C\  SWEET  Tube  Rose,  of  alabaster  whiteness! 

Beauty  and  scent  enshrined  in  petals  fair 
Are  more  than  gifts  of  earth  and  ambient  air, 
Are  more  than  comes  of  day's  exalted  brightness. 
We  see  upon  thy  stem  of  flexile  lightness 
A  crown  of  opening  buds  beyond  compare, 
The  clustering  gems  of  God's  pure  thoughts  placed 

there 
To  symbolize  the  bloom  of  chaste  uprightness. 


THE  CALLA  LILY. 

Rare  pearls  of  hope!  to  fettered  souls  ye  speak, 
Whose  powers  for  good  in  germ  enfolded  lie, 

Whose  every  struggle  toward  the  light  is  weak, 
And  who  to  live,  must  first  to  nature  die. 
For  life's  most  perfect  blossom  long  we  sigh, 
Slow  growth  unfolds  the  flower  of  destiny. 


251 


TO  THE  FIVE-FINGER. 

(Potentilla  Canadensis.) 

I  TNSOUGHT,  unloved,  with  few  to  note  thy  ways, 

And  yet  we  deem  a  mead  of  merit  thine, 
Since  bitter  drops  are  mingled  with  life's  wine. 
For,  like  sweet  charity  that  hideth  dearth 
Of  soul,  thou  coverest  the  stony  earth 
With  thy  five-fingered  leaves,  thou  holdest  up 
To  heaven  a  chalice  pure,  a  golden  cup, 
As  if  to  render  God  both  prayer  and  praise. 
Thy  lowly  heart  in  modesty  retires, 
But,  with  thy  little  flower  to  heaven  aspires. 
As  in  sincerity  all  souls  are  meek 
Who  in  humility  Christ's  goodness  seek, 
May  I  like  thee  true  virtue  upward  bear 
Refined  as  incense-odors,  sweet  and  rare. 


THE  CALLA  LILY. 

I  IKE  some  ethereal  form  in  robe  of  white 

We  watched  it  slowly  climb  the  emerald  stair, 
Until  at  last,  unfolded  sweet  and  fair 

It  crowned  the  stem,  a  coronet  of  light. 

The  ample  leaf  with  surface  burnished  bright 
Drank  in  the  moisture  and  the  balmy  air, 
While  root  and  stem  gave  strength  the  bloom  to  bear, 

Then  beauty  and  perfection  met  our  sight. 


252 


MOL'XT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


Thou  chaste  exotic,  lily  of  the  Nile, 

The  jewel  cup  of  Flora's  fragrant  bowers, 
In  thy  deep  center  gleams  a  bar  of  gold, 
Rare  pearls  and  dew-glint  diamonds  dost  thou  hold; 
We  call  thee  queen  among  thy  sister  flowers. 


THE  PURPLE  PANSY. 

CROM  out  the  early  morn,  a  tinted  light 

Fell  where  the  pearl  white  roge  adorned  its  place, 

And  on  its  spotless  bosom  left  its  trace. 
The  spirit  of  the  sinking  sunset  bright 
Vied  with  its  shadows  deep'ning  with  the  night, 

And  o'er  the  pansy's  pale  uplifted  face 

She  threw  a  robe  of  purple  velvet  grace; 
That  gilt  of  beauty  golden  eyes  requite. 
But  what  the  lesson  this  sweet  flower  brings  ? 

Does  its  rich  life  but  teach  us  to  be  glad  ? 
And,  as  the  swan  its  latest  hour  sings, 

Should  joy  not  reach  us  when  our  hearts  are  sad  ? 
Its  fragrant  influence  drawn  from  worlds  above, 
With  floral  tongue  proclaims  my  ''  God  is  love." 


THE  SNOW  FLOWER. 

T  T  is  a  wonder  in  the  world  of  flowers, 

That  grows  by  glittering  streams  that  never  run, 

In  sparkling  regions  of  the  midnight  sun. 
Out  from  the  shelter  of  flake-woven  bowers, 
Its  still  retreat  mid  heartless  boreal  showers, 

It  greets  the  hour  the  New  Year  is  begun. 

Three  days  it  rises  and  the  third  bright  one 
It  blooms,  then  dies  within  the  circling  hours. 


BLIGHTED. 


253 


Made  perfect  in  the  image  of  a  star 
Its  petals  shine,  its  pearly  triplet  leaves 

All  diamond-tipped,  send  happy  light  afar, 

And  happy  light  from  heaven's  deep  blue  receives. 

Fairy-like  it  comes,  goes  as  fairies  go, 
Where  it  fades,  seed-jewels  glitter  on  the  snow. 


BLIGHTED. 

JUST  in  a  night  they  withered, 

Touched  by  a  blighting  frost, 
Their  delicate  nerves  were  shivered 
And  their  glory  all  was  lost. 

Those  beautiful  flowers  that  bloomed 
Through  spring  and  summer  hours, 

And  the  balmy  air  perfumed, 
At  the  call  of  dews  and  showers. 

They  are  gone,  our  bright  hopes  perished, 
And  close  to  the  earth  they  lie, 

The  sweet  things  that  we  cherished 
So  quickly  doomed  to  die. 

O,  thus  on  our  spirits'  flowers 
May  come  some  chilling  blight, 

Though  the  germs  by  heavenly  powers 
Were  nurtured  and  brought  to  light. 

Sometime  when  the  sun's  fair  shining 

Promises  setting  clear, 
And  the  clouds  with  golden  lining 

Above  life's  hills  appear, 

There  may  lurk  in  the  coming  darkness 

Some  cold  and  icy  breath, 
That  swift  in  the  sable  blackness 

May  hurl  the  shafts  of  death. 


254 


MOl'-\T  I.ERA.\ON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

It  may  be  the  frost  of  sorrow 

Will  fall  on  the  nightly  air, 
To  bring  us  a  sad  to-morrow 

And  rob  us  of  treasures  rare. 

Or  a  sudden  chill  of  feeling 

May  pass  over  hearts  once  warm, 

A  sadder  wreck  revealing 
Than  comes  of  the  passing  storm. 

Of  the  coming  days  we  speak  not, 
Of  the  future  who  can  know, 

Over  our  greenest  earth  spot 
Falleth  the  drifting  snow. 

Where  our  choicest  hopes  are  blasted, 
May  some  new  life  take  wing, 

And  the  souls  of  flowers  wasted 
Bloom  in  perennial  spring. 


FALLEN. 

CHE  stood  amid  a  brilliant  throng, 

Her  face  was  fair,  her  eyes  were  bright, 
Faint  blushes  stole  her  brow  along 

Like  crimson  flushed  in  clouds  of  white. 


Her  robe  was  soft  as  jeweled  snow 
That  scintillates  in  morning's  beams; 

Her  diamond  chain  gave  glint  and  glow 
Like  stars  that  follow  twilight  dreams. 

Rare  lilies  and  a  glistening  crown 
Secured  the  mist- wrought  flowing  veil; 

With  music  floating  up  and  down 
Came  perfume  rich  as  Eastern  gale. 


FALLEN. 


255 


For  blossoms  surged  along  the  aisle, 
Hung  festooned  o'er  her  shining  head, 

And  drifted  to  an  alter  pile 

Where  she  to  statued  wealth  was  wed. 

A  fallen  woman!     What,  the  child 
Of  culture,  wealth  and  Christian  grace  ? 

Who  e'er?  what  e'er  her  heart  beguiled ? 
Whence  came  the  brand  of  black  disgrace  ? 

A  fallen  woman!     She  would  shrink 
From  tattered  sin-stained  sister's  form, 

Her  guarded  spirit  scarce  could  think 
Of  outcasts  mired  in  passion's  storm. 

She  did  not  know  why  wind  or  sea 

Should  rise  and  sweep  life's  good  away; 

Why  hearts  could  not  untempted  be 
As  regulated  fountain's  play. 

That  fall,  before  the  angels'  eyes 

Though  piteous,  ranked  not  as  her  own; 

'Twas  of  the  grasping  worldly-wise 
Who  human  sympathies  dethrone. 

Though  gaunt  starvation  walked  the  street, 

Or  lay  neglected,  cold  and  bare, 
While  suicide  with  maddened  feet 

Plunged  o'er  the  chasm  of  despair, 

'Tis  doubtful  if  one  joy  would  flit 
At  sight  of  what  that  grandeur  cost, 

For  deeper  than  its  Christian  pit 
The  world  of  affluence  is  lost. 

Woe!  woe  is  earth!  that  noble  souls 
By  boundless  wealth  abnormal  grow; 

Warped  where  blind  selfishness  controls, 
Life's  amplitude  can  never  know. 


256  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Ah!  not  alone  to  alleys  grim 

Where  sin's  wild,  hideous  rites  are  kept, 
Have  gone  the  heavenly  seraphim 

And  o'er  earth's  erring  children  wept. 

But  they  have  bowed  in  princely  halls 
And  mourned  'mid  pleasures'  gorgeous  train, 

Where  golden  are  the  serpents'  thralls, 
And  holy  pleadings  prove  but  vain. 

To  them  transgression  wears  no  mask, 
Its  heaviest  weight,  its  darkest  hue, 

In  vile  prosperity  may  bask, 

But  truth  perceives  it  through  and  through. 

And  liberty  in  grief  bemoans 

Her  heroines  of  Pilgrim  stock, 
Who  heard  fierce  oceans'  organ  tones 

On  bridal  tours — to  Plymouth  Rock. 

How  hath  the  nation  gone  astray 
Where  rotten  monarchies  have  led; 

What  blood-bought  rights  have  paved  the  way 
For  greed  and  tyranny  to  tread. 

How  stands  the  contrast  with  that  race 
Intent  on  building  Freedom's  shrine, 

Whose  women  knew  the  martyrs'  place, 
Lived,  toiled  and  died  in  faith  sublime. 

Would  sons  as  recreant  robbers'  band 
If  daughters  to  Columbia  turned, 

Bewailing  glory  of  the  land 
That  once  beneath  her  banner  burned  ? 

Rise,  women,  rise!  quench  greed  and  pride 
Torch-lighted  at  the  forge  of  hell, 

For  God's  Republic  now  decide, 
Or  shrink,  and  wait  its  funeral  knell. 


MOTHERLAND.  257 


A   LESSON. 

(""\XCE  I  beheld — though  years  are  long  since  fled — 

The  sun  come  up  out  of  the  waters  deep, 
And,  shrouded  by  the  dream-haze  of  its  sleep 

Upon  the  snow-capped  waves  its  rose-light  shed, 

And  where  \vas  white  foam,  rubies  danced  instead. 
The  winds  bent  low  and  gave  their  harp  a  sweep, 
The  blue-keyed  ocean  did  its  rhythm  keep 

Until  their  songs  seemed  one,  so  closely  wed. 

And  so  I  learned,  it  is  not  that  things  seem 
Just  what  they  really  are,  illusions  teem 

From  glass  of  different  shades  through  which  we  look 

To  con  the  lessons  given  in  life's  great  book, 
But  we  shall  know  and  understand  aright, 
If  we  but  read  them  in  the  Truth's  clear  light. 


-*- 


MOTHERLAND. 

T~\AUGHTERS  of  the  nation  listen! 

Liberty  to  you  appeals! 
Tearful  eyes  around  you  glisten, 

While  she  supplicating  kneels. 
To  their  homes  your  fathers  brought  her 

Through  the  flood  and  fire  of  war; 
Through  the  thunderstorm  and  slaughter 

Rolled  her  fair  triumphal  car. 

And  they  said,  ''All  men  are  equal 

With  inalienable  rights;  " 
Little  dreaming  of  the  sequel, 

That  has  filled  the  land  with  blights. 
For  a  while  their  sons  defended 

That  great  heritage  with  power; 
Sought  the  good  that  was  intended, 

For  the  country's  lasting  dower. 


258  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

But  the  demon,  slavery,  flourished; 

Half  approved  and  half  ignored; 
At  her  founts  his  life  was  nourished, 

Till  he  grew  to  be  her  lord. 
Boldly  took  not  heavy  duty 

On  such  articles  as  tea; 
His,  not  taxes,  but  rich  booty; 

Even  pearls  of  liberty. 

Then  a  lofty  manhood  crumbled, 

Like  a  soulless  mass  of  clay; 
For  its  spirit  had  been  humbled, 

And  its  honor  swept  away. 
Drooped  the  Hag.  the  stars  were  broken 

As  by  clouds  of  inky  hue! 
And  the  stripes  disclesed  in  token, 

Blood  and  tears  that  bondage  drew. 

When,  at  length,  its  folds  were  lifted 

By  the  soldier's  dying  breath, 
Was  the  nation's  harvest  sifted 

From  the  bitter  seeds  of  death  ? 
Do  not  intrigue,  sloth  and  plunder 

Still  destroy  her  ripening  grain, 
While  the  world  is  struck  with  wonder 

At  her  turmoil,  loss  and  pain  ? 

Is  there  yet  no  hope  for  nations  ? 

Must  all  constitutions  fail, 
And  the  heart's  uplifted  patience, 

Sink  and  let  despair  prevail  ? 

Safe  between  two  veiling  oceans 

God  had  kept  a  land  to  show, 
When  the  Church  and  State  commotions 

Blackened  earth  with  crushing  woe. 
When  the  hells  that  priests  created 

Lit  the  inquisition's  flame, 
And  the  flesh  was  satiated 

In  the  Holy  Spirit's  name. 


MO  THERLAND. 

From  Republican  Genoa 

To  the  tortured  Spanish  land, 
Came  a  man,  impressed  like  Noah 

With  the  rescue  God  had  planned. 
Europe  had  no  aid  to  furnish; 

Tyrants  heard  no  pleading  tone; 
They  had  thrones  and  arms  to  burnish, 

Schemes  for  prowess,  all  their  own. 

But  a  woman  heard  the  story 

Of  a  land  beyond  the  sea; 
And  bright  visions  of  its  glory, 

Gifted  were  her  eyes  to  see. 
She  the  jewel  treasure  offered, 

That  adorned  her  as  a  queen; 
And  the  gems  thus  freely  proffered 

Bridged  the  waves  to  shores  unseen, 

Where  shall  be  a  declaration, 

That  will  make  all  women  free! 
Where  our  eyes  shall  see  a  nation 

That  is  fit  for  liberty! 
Where  the  rights,  divine  and  human, 

Shall  forever  be  secure, 
In  the  land  first  bought  by  woman, 

And  by  her  made  good  and  pure. 

For  a  government  parental 

Soon  will  bring  true  order  forth: 
Place  whate'er  is  accidental, 

Build  "  new  heaven  and  new  earth." 
Heavy  is  the  task  before  us; 

But  it  takes  no  winding  course, 
Cloudless  light  is  shining  o'er  us, 

In  this  day  of  vital  force. 


259 


26o  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


THE  FAMOUS  HUTCHINSON  FAMILY. 

'"THEY  loved  New  England's  rugged  crown  of  pines, 
Her  granite  mountains   and   her  storm-wrought 

strand, 
Her  thrifty  homes — proud  Freedom's  lofty  shrines 

That  held  the  glory  of  that  Sunrise  Land. 
They  were  such  children  as  she  well  might  own, 

For  truth  of  heart  had  made  their  vision  clear; 
Their  guileless  souls  could  go  with  song  alone 

To  open  siege  where  statesmen  quailed  with  fear. 
"  Dear  Abby,"  heiress  to  fair  nature's  grace, 

With  subtle  sweetness  in  her  winsome  ways; 
The  warmth  of  springtime  fresh  in  heart  and  face, 

And  voice  attuned  to  gladsome  forest  lays. 
What  knew  she  there, 'mid  quiet  native  hills, 

Of  cruel  tyranny's  encroaching  claims  ? 
The  tinkling,  purling  of  her  playmate  rills 

Told  naught  of  wind  that  carried  sleeping  flames. 
But  as  her  brothers  round  the  hearth-stone's  glow 

Sent  up  the  young  Republic's  noblest  strains, 
With  heavy  undertone  of  heart-wrung  woe, 

And  touching  treble  of  appalling  pains. 
'Twas  then  her  youthful,  sympathetic  eyes, 

Looked  forth  amazed  o'er  dark  unfathomed  wrong, 
Like  startled  lark  that  sudden  floods  surprise, 

Her  first  affright  broke  forth  in  fluttering  song. 
At  length",  to  them  courageous  impulse  came, 

They  took  it  as  a  mandate  heaven-sent; 
And  all  unstained  with  thought  of  wealth  or  fame, 

Like  pleading  angels  trustingly  they  went, 
Impressed  that  billows,  black  with  threat'ning  cloud, 

Illumed,  would  melt  before  their  music  sweet; 
And  Slavery  with  lash,  with  sceptre  proud, 

Kneel  humbly  low  at  Freedom's  sandaled  feet. 
As  fearlessly  resounding  chords  they  swept, 

A  thrilled  world  must  at  once  to  action  rise; 


THE  FAMOUS  HUTCHINSON  FAMILY.  26l 

And  Honor's  soul,  that  long  supinely  slept 

Awoke  to  shame  and  revolutionize. 
Columbia  clasped  them  in  her  loving  arms, 

And  let  them  sing  upon  her  throbbing  breast 
Their  prophecy,  their  vision  of  alarms, 

And  wisdom's  plan  to  banish  wild  unrest. 
Full  was  their  melody  of  daring  thought, 

That  knew  not  compromise  in  least  degree; 
Surpassed  the  laws  the  valiant  fathers  taught 

And  claimed  the  nation  wholly  for  the  free. 
'Twas  for  the  captives  tortured,  bought  and  sold, 

Their  pathos  trembled  on  the  waves  of  fire; 
Then  in  unbroken  utterance  upward  rolled 

To  claim  the  golden  harps  and  heavenly  choir. 
The  stirring  spirit  of  their  heart  found  themes 

The  breezes  to  the  listening  echoes  bore; 
There  was  a  flash,  with  sharp  portentious  gleams 

And    then    the    rude-mouthed    vengeful    cannon's 

roar- 
Yet  still  devotedly  with  zeal  they  sung, 

And  trusted  the  inspiring  Muse  alone; 
To  tocsin  peals  that  Whittier  loudly  rung 

Their  blended  voices  added  victory's  tone. 
Not  as  he  hoped  in  holy  calm  of  prayer, 

The  message  of  the  great  deliverance  came, 
But  on  the  blast  of  battle-writhing  air, 

And  through  the  hissing  sulphur's  deadly  flame. 
Long  years  rolled  on,  that -numerous  household  band 

Passed  through  the  curtains  of  life's  outer  rim, 
Save  two,  still  earnest,  journeying  hand  in  hand, 

And  oft  intoning  freedom's  hopeful  hymn. 
But  once  when  autumn's  sumptuous  gifts  were  cast 

In  rich  profusion  over  earth  and  wave, 
With  silvered  hair,  as  from  the  far-off  Past 

They  came  to  stand  beside  their  poet's  grave, 
In  tender  cadence,  requiem  to  swell, 

Thus  close  their  mission  with  events  replete, 
'Neath  sunny  skies  to  sing  a  last  farewell, 

At  Whittier's  grave, 'twas  strange  and  it  was  meet, — 


262  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

For  e'er  hoarse  winter  struck  his  organ  cloud 

And  wild-wind  music  wailed  on  tempest's  breath, 
That  brother's  voice  amid  a  solemn  crowd 

Came  plaintively  for  her  the  stilled  in  death. 
Now  when  that  solitary  minstrel  sings, 

Columbia  views  her  realm  from  shore  to  shore, 
As  if  she  stood  'neath  memory's  brooding  wings 

And  gathered  to  her  heart  the  days  of  yore. 
And  praying  there  with  heavy  tears  like  hail 

That  for  her  cause  another  band  may  rise, 
Strike  mightily,  the  chords  that  must  prevail, 

And  sing  new  freedom  to  her  shrouded  skies. 


LIFE'S  TREASURE. 

1  IKE  balmy  south  winds  in  the  early  spring, 

That  help  the  myriad  buds  their  sheathes  to  burst, 
And  like  the  perfumed  freshness  showers  bring 
When  earth  is  parched  and  nature  droops  with  thirst, 
Pure  love  doth  come  to  me. 

Like  warblers  heralding  the  break  of  day, 

Cheering  us  on  life's  duties  to  pursue, 
And  like  their  pensive  notes  at  twilight  gray 

When  falls  on  leaf  and  flower  the  cooling  dew, 
Are  tones  of  love  to  me. 

Like  violets  abloom  in  tender  grass, 
That  brightly  covers  sere  and  faded  sod, 

Sweet  violets  that  greet  us  as  we  pass, 
E'en  though  some  heedless  feet  have  on  them  trod, 
Is  angel  love  to  me. 

And,  like  the  fragrance  of  the  opening  rose, 
Whose  subtle  incense  is  so  freely  given, 

Whose  beauteous  life  that  silently  outflows, 
Reminds  of  ministrations  borne  from  heaven, 
Love's  breathings  fall  on  me. 


"     ALONE. 

Each  gentle  deed  and  every  kindly  thought, 
Is  to  my  soul  a  messenger  of  good, 

For  more  than  all  the  ties  by  nature  wrought 
Is  that  blest  gift  of  angel  sisterhood 
Whose  love  encircles  me. 

I'll  humbly  walk  the  self-denying  way, 
And  oft  will  seek  the  silent  vale  of  prayer; 

Through  earnest  effort  strive  each  coming  day 
So  true  to  be.  as  worthily  to  share 
The  love  bestowed  on  me. 

A  shield  that  from  all  harm  my  soul  could  keep, 
A  light  that  guided  through  the  shadowy  vale, 

A  staff  that  helped  me  to  ascend  the  steep, 
A  living  fount  whose  waters  would  not  fail 
I've  proved  this  love  to  be. 

It  giveth  holy  courage  to  the  heart, 

And  strength  that  crowns  with  victory  its  strife, 
All  radiant  in  the  truth  it  doth  impart 

A  joy  forever  new  in  endless  life, 
This  power  of  love  so  free. 


263 


ALONE. 

LINES  SUGGESTED  ON  HEARING  A  ROBIN  SING  IN 
OCTOBER. 

DOBIN  red-breast,  long  ago  I  thought  thy  song  was 
^     hushed, 
When  autumn  frosts  thy  leafy  home  with  many  tints 

had  flushed, 
And  now  the  leaves  upon  the  ground  are  rustling  dry 

and  sear, 
Yet  thy  lone  notes  from  yonder  copse  are  sweetly 

quaint  and  clear. 


264  MOL'.VT  LEKANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Have    thy  companions  left  thee  here  to  brave  the 

wintry  storm, 
While  they  have  sought  the  sunny  skies   of  climate 

soft  and  warm  ? 
Sing  on  sweet  bird!  the  genial  air  of  these  autumnal 

days 
Wakes  in  my  heart  a  kindly  glow  responsive  to  thy 

lays. 

I  think  of  many  hearts  bereft,  in  this  cold  world  of  ours, 
Who  had  their  summer  time  of  joy  amid  life's  fairest 

flowers; 
But  when  adversity's  chill  wind  around  their  pathway 

swept, 
The  bloom  of  friendship  withered,   and  streams  of 

gladness  slept. 

Averted  faces   smile  no    more  as  they  were  wont  to 

smile, 
And  no  loved  song  of  cheerful  hearts  the  weary  hours 

beguile, 

But,  cloistered  in  the  gloomy  cell  of  bitter  discontent, 
Regretful  of  the  past  they  sigh  or  wail  a  sad  lament. 

Misfortune's  seal  too  oft  is  set  on  faces  young  and  fair, 
For  lack  of  help  the  erring  sink  to  misery  and  despair, 
And  darkning  shadows  forward  fall  on  many  a  lonely 

path, 
Where  wayward  feet  unconscious,  tread  the  downward 

course  to  death. 

Oh,  was  there  more  of  love  divine  on  this  broad  earth 
below, 

'Twould  lume  the  gloomy  haunts  of  sin  with  its  celes 
tial  glow, 

And  many  hearts  now  crushed  by  scorn  —who  to  their 
fate  were  driven — 

Would  be  reclaimed  by  love,  that  breathes  the  blessed 
word,  "forgiven." 


A  DOR  A  TION. 


265 


As  He  whose   bright  example  gleamed  adown  the 

ages  past, 
Asked  those  who  knew  no  sin,  to  first  the  stone  of 

judgment  cast, 
But  guilty  hearts  shrank  from  the  deed,  as  ne'er  they 

shrank  before, 
While   He  unto  the  erring  said,   "arise,   go  sin  no 

more." 

O  words  so  full  of  charity!  so  rich  in  heavenly  love! 

More  potent  far  than  human  law  the  sinner's  heart  to 
move; 

'Tis  Christ  indwelling  in  the  heart  that  prompts  to 
noble  deeds, 

And  meets  with  truth's  exalted  power  the  spirits's  in 
most  needs. 

Oh,  blessed  is  the  heart,  that  tunes  its  heavenly  min 
strelsy, 

While  drawing  inspiration  deep  O  fount  of  love  from 
Thee! 

Depending  on  the  power  that  guides,  through  bright 
and  clouded  days, 

At  morn  and  eve  it  lifts  the  voice  in  hymns  of  grateful 
praise. 


ADORATION. 

I  LOVE,  I  deeply  love,  there  is  so  much 

My  earnest  heart  embraces,  and  each  day 
Finds  reason  for  true  happiness.     My  mind 
Springs  up  exultant  every  time  I  think 
Of  God's  unfailing  beauties,  and  my  soul 
Rejoices  in  His  love. 

Sometimes  I  think 

To  count  the  glories  o'er,  and  blessings  full, 
And  ever  varying  scenes  before  my  eyes, 


266  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

But  find  no  good  beginning,  for  around 
And  round,  a  perfect  circle  do  they  fill. 

But  be  it  first  among  my  buoyant  joys, 
The  winter  time,  with  all  its  gale  and  storm, 
And  pearly  snows  and  frosty  air  and  chill; 
Its  radiant  blue  and  clear  and  matchless  light, 
And  glowing  stars  that  gem  the  nightly  sky; 
These  usher  in  the  merry  mornings  of 
The  glad  New  Year,  the  season  when  old  Time 
Seems  to  have  reckoned  up  his  full  accounts 
And  with  new  courage  started  out  again. 

I  love  the  happy  spring,  and  gleeful  birds, 
And  myriad  blossoms  of  the  hill  and  dale, 
Whose  swaying  censers  perfume  all  the  air. 
The  stream,  its  verdant  banks  and  pebbly  bed, 
Whose  varied  coursing  ends  within  the  sea, 
The  great  deep  sea,  the  crystal  ocean,  where 
Many  millions  have  rendered  up  their  souls, 
And  laid  their  bodies  down  among  the  strange 
And  countless  wonders  of  its  trackless  vault. 
I  love  the  wave,  the  foam,  the  bounding  shore. 

I  love  the  sunbeams  gleaming  through  the  blue, 

And  clouds  that  'mid  them  sail,  and  all  the  gifts 

They  give  throughout  the  year.     The  dews,  the  stars, 

The  breezes  that  make  glad  the  summer  time. 

I  love  the  daisied  meadows  soft  and  green, 

The  waving  golden  grain  and  tasseled  corn, 

And  all  the  mellow  fruits  of  harvest  time. 

How  grand  the  thundering  in  the  awful  dark, 

The  vivid  flash,  and  rolls  of  ebon  mist, 

And  rainbows  painted  in  the  evening  sky. 

Behold  the  mountain-tops  and  sylvan  slopes, 

Fountains,  canons,  cataracts,  rocky  cliffs,  indeed 

I  cannot  tell  it  all,  but  well  I  love, 

Yea  more,  I  fill  with  ecstasy,  and  pant 

Amid  the  palpitations  of  my  heart, 


ADORA  TION.  267 

So  awed  am  I,  wondering  how  God  could 
Have  made  them  so. 

I  love  the  happy  soul 

Who  walks  and  lives  among  these  things,  and  loves 
Them  too;  through  them  is  known  the  great  kind  God, 
His  handiwork,  omnipotence  and  power. 
And  'mong  them  all,  most  dearly  truly  loved 
Is  my  good  home,  sweet  home,  all  circled  round 
With  these  unfailing  lovely  gifts. 

If  things 

External  could  the  soul's  eternal  grace 
Insure,  and  give  to  life  below  and  life 
Beyond,  the  joy  and  treasure  it  would  gain, 
Then  would  our  living  be  complete;  no  sound 
Of  discord  would  there  be,  nor  strife  nor  woe, 
So  perfect  would  the  concord  be.     But  sad 
Enough,  much  evil  born  to  mutiply 
Has  entered  every  human  heart,  and  darkened 
With  its  clouds  and  graceless  images 
The  holy  light,  and  robbed  mortality 
Of  bliss,  its  just  and  rightful  heritage. 

I  love  the  truth,  the  virtues  every  one, 

The  heart  most  honest,  true  to  consciousness  of  right; 

The  brave,  the  noble,  valiant  in  the  cause 

That  will  uplift  to  heaven  all  the  race. 

The  ever  gentle  truly' Christian  spirit 

That  every  day  gives  out  its  gifts  of  gold 

In  deeds  and  words  refined,  and  coined  within 

The  mint  of  faith,  and  scattered  with  kind  care. 

I  love  the  wayward,  erring,  thankless, 

With  a  pitying  love  that  harbors  no  ill-will, 

And  fain  would  pardon  those  who  do  me  wrong. 

I  prize  my  counselors,  companions,  friends; 

The  kiss  that  ministers  sweet  peace,  and  words 

That  teach  the  holy  way  of  righteousness. 

I  daily  pray  that  'mong  the  many  things 

That  others  love,  they  may  love  me, 

For  I  would  win  it  by  my  toil,  and  strive 


268  JfOl'iVT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

To  recompense  it  by  my  humble  gains. 
I  often  pray  for  angel  care  and  kind 
Direction,  and  all  that  will  redeem  and 
Make  me  worthy  of  a  privilege  to  live 
Upon  God's  earth,  so  glorious  and  great, 
So  beautiful,  so  grand  and  truly  good. 


THE  PILGRIM  AND  THE  MILE-STONES. 

I  AM  a  pilgrim,  this  is  Christmas  day, 

And  I  recall  the  Tyrian  scenes  of  time; 
Steal  back  in  thought  o'er  memory's  hallowed  way 

Till  I  can  hear  the  carol  and  the  chime. 
'Twas  first  through  holly  boughs  and  mistletoe, 

And  clustering  crimson  berries  hung  o'erhead, 
That  I  looked  forth  with  wonder  on  the  glow 

Which  fell  upon  the  path  that  I  should  tread, 
Ah  well!  my  heart,  how  strange,  how  strange  it  seems 

To  musing  wait  till  past  and  present  meet, 
To  bring  experience  face  to  face  with  dreams 

And  calmly  taste  the  bitter  with  the  sweet. 
There  stretched  the  spangled,  twinkling  world  of  snow, 

Then  came  the  rain  pellucid  in  its  fall 
That  turned  to  velvet  grass,  soft,  green  and  low 

Beside  the  road  along  the  orchard  wall. 
The  way  was  lengthy  from  the  wee  mile-stone 

Where  violets  wore  spectacles  of  dew, 
To  that  glist  mark  that  reared  itself  along 

Where  lovely  school-bell  morning-glories  grew. 
When  reached  'twas  further  to  the  cross-road  sign 

Beside  the  bridge  where  opening  roses  blushed, 
Where  trembling  waters  slid  from  shade  to  shine, 

Awoke  the  lilies  white  and  onward  rushed. 
The  stone  half  hid  in  sunset  autumn  leaves, 

In  aster,  ferns  and  feathery  golden-rod, 
Is  just  across  the  field  of  withered  sheaves 

Where  sunbeams  bar  the  shadows  deep  and  broad- 


GRATEFUL    THOUGHT. 


269 


There  is  a  snow  space  to  the  slab  of  moss 

Which  stands  beside  the  wall  of  gathered  years, 
Whereon  is  graved  our  varying  gain  and  loss 

With  glint  of  smile,  with  shimmering  dew  of  tears. 
That  mile  is  shortest,  for  it  melts  in  spring 

That  overlaps  chill  winter's  lowering  gloom, 
Shakes  out  the  breath  of  fragrant  blossoming 

And  shows  through  mist-vales  fair  elysian  bloom. 
The  pilgrim  pauses,  for  the  angels  call, 

Life  stoops  and  whispers,  "  come,  I  go  before  ;  " 
From  earth's  great  mile-stone  crumbling  linchens  fall 

And  lo!  that  tablet  is  the  heavenly  door. 
Henceforth  the  road  shall  not  be  marked  with  stones, 

Nor  fitful  longings  lure  as  here  in  time, 
Glad  crystal  fountains  shall  divide  the  zones 

And  life's  sweet  rhythm  glide  into  its  rhyme. 


GRATEFUL  THOUGHT. 

M  OT  for  a  favored  spot  alone 
The  sun  its  radiance  gives, 
But  for  the  wide  world's  joy 

Its  blessed  influence  lives. 
The  lone  pine  on  the  mountain  top, 

The  floweret  in  the  vale, 
The  verdant  grass  and  waving  grain 

All  tell  the  same  sweet  tale. 
"Thou  art  my  sun  "  is  whispered  softly 

From  each  living  thing, 
And  clay  bears  up  this  grateful  thought 

Upon  expanded  wing. 
So.  with  effulgence  God  infills 

This  universe  of  life, 
And  none  so  low,  or  sad,  or  worn 

With  time's  embittered  strife 


270 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOL'GHS. 

But  may  look  up  with  confidence 

To  light  and  love  divine 
And  say,  O  Father— Mother— God, 

I  feel  that  Thou  art  mine. 


UNREST. 
/ 
LJ  EAYE,  heave,  ye  grand  billows  on  Time's  cradled 

sea, 

Tumultuous  toss  on  its  breast ! 
Break,  break  on  its  strand  ye  wild  waves  and  free, 
Ye  are  emblems  of  human  unrest ! 

The  surging  of  thought  from  the  depths  of  the  mind 

Is  swaying  the  nations  to-day, 
The  tides  that  are  rushing,  what  power  can  bind  ? 

Who,  truth's  potent  forces  shall  sway  ? 

There  are  prophets  arisen  as  true  as  of  yore, 

Apostles  who  hallow  no  creeds, 
Who  are  waking  to  action  as  never  before, 

To  work  for  humanity's  needs. 

With  new  inspiration  the  people  are  stirred, 

How  the  old  wrongs  and  new  wrongs  will  quail, 

Till  righteousness  answers  to  justice  deferred, 
And  the  true  golden  rule  will  prevail. 

While  the  voice  of  the  throng  loudly  clamors  for  right, 

There  are  many  who  silently  bear, 
Awaiting  God's  time,  and  the  arm  of  His  might, 

To  bring  a  response  to  their  prayer. 

The  strong  rule  of  centuries  rises  to  sight, 

A  castle,  with  battlements  high, 
Which  the  art,  skill  and  valor  of  labor's  bold  knight 

With  courage  and  patience  defy. 


.      2yi 

Not  force  or  blind  passion  will  conquer  or  win, 

Nor  the  red  flag,  defiant  unfurled  ; 
Ope  your  hearts,  O  ye  people,  let  Christ  enter  in, 

He  triumphs  o'er  sins  of  the  world  ! 

The  Master  was  greatest,  yet  humblest  in  name, 

No  landed  estate  did  He  own, 
No  home,  and  no  title  to  wealth  laid  He  claim, 

By  love  was  His  mission  made  known. 

The  friend  of  the  poor,  the  weak  and  oppressed, 

Reprover  of  folly  and  sin  ; 
The  wrongs  of  the  widow  and  orphan  redressed, 

And  strove  all  the  erring  to  win. 

Are  ye  his  vicegerents,  ye  sceptered  and  crowned, 

Who  rule  with  the  pomp  of  a  state, 
Whom  thousands  of  vassals  with  splendor  surround, 

And  homage  receive  from  the  great  ? 

Ah  nay  !  the  cry  passes  from  door  unto  door, 
From  the  temple  whose  service  He  loved, 

The  Saviour  is  found  in  the  "  Priest  of  the  Poor,"  * 
His  mission  is  blest/and  approved. 

God  sends  through  the  lowly  the  means  of  His  grace, 
Through  hearts  that  are  rich  in  His  love, 

Whose  feelings  go  out  to  the  whole  human  race, 
The  worth  of  the  gospel  to  prove. 

Pride  and  power  hath  narrowed  redemption's  broad 
plan, 

The  Church  would  extinguish  its  lights, 
Its  prelates  deny  the  true  manhood  of  man, 

And  wquld  wrest  from  him  heaven-born  rights. 

Low  arched  are  its  portals,  and  dim  are  the  rays 

That  fall  on  high  altar  and  aisle, 
Or  lume  the  deep  transepts  where  worship  and  praise 

Resound  through  the  time-honored  pile. 

*Dr.  Edward  McGlynn. 


272 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


Shall  he  be  disgraced  whom  the  Lord  would  uphold? 

Who  loveth  like  him  to  do  good, 
Whose  teachings  to-day,  like  the  precepts  of  old 

By  the  selfish  are  not  understood. 

As  multitudes  listened  in  reverent  mood 

To  truths  which  the  Saviour  declared, 
Nor  went  from  his  presence  till  comfort  and  food 

From  his  bounteous  hand  they  had  shared, 

So  the  teachers  of  men  must  in  sympathy  blend 
With  hearts  that  have  one  common  need, 

Equality,  justice  and  mercy  defend, 
The  cause  of  the  lowliest  plead. 

Then  blessings  will  follow  Religion's  pure  name, 

Its  ministries  truly  divine 
Will  kindle  anew  its  bright  altar  flame, 

And  souls  will  return  to  its  shrine. 


TWO  LESSONS  FROM  EGYPT. 

C\  EGYPT  !  from  thy  land  of  sun  and  gloom 

We  catch  a  gleam 
Like  rays  reflected  from  a  lighted  room 

Across  a  stream ; 
Or  like  the  hand  that  saves  us  from  our  doom 

In  dangerous  dream. 

O  Egypt !  how  the  centuries  have  dealt 

Their  withering  blows 
Against  thy  pride,  and  how  thy  soul  has  felt 

The  pain  that  grows 
More  piercing  as  the  tides  of  being  melt 

In  death's  repose. 


TWO  LESSORS  FROM  EGYPT. 


273 


From  thee  mankind  learned  systems  black  with  wrong, 

And  learned  from  thee 
How  laws  that  foster  vice  protect  the  strong  ; 

How  cruelty 
And  fraud  condemn  the  weak  ;  but  ages  long 

Thou'st  bent  the  knee. 

Thy  masters  came  with  Mammon's  artful  tricks 

That  set  aside 
Thine  ancient  customs,  and  their  interdicts 

Thy  laws  defied  ; 
And  where  the  Hebrews  made  the  strawless  bricks 

Thy  princes  died. 

O  Egypt  !  from  thy  misery  and  sin 

This  truth  is  born, 
That  they  who  scatter  thorns  life's  way  within 

Must  tread  the  thorn  ; 
And  they  who  hurl  the  deadly  javelin 

By  it  are  torn. 

And  Egypt,  from  thy  gently  flowing  Nile 

Comes  wisdom's  creeds, 
That  they  who  sow  in  faith  shall  reap  the  while 

The  precious  seeds ; 
That  yet  where  tyrants  fall,  shall  sweetly  smile 

More  holy  deeds. 

For  at  the  yearly  flood-time  of  the  waves 

Thy  children  cast 
The  lotus  seeds,  and  from  their  hidden  graves 

They  rise  at  last 
Strong  in  their  moorings  as  a  ship  that  braves 

The  sweeping  blast. 

And  so  with  sun  above  and  waves  around, 

And  Nature's  praise 
Forever  urging  them  with  cheerful  sound 

And  pleasant  ways, 
They  yield  a  plenteous  harvest  to  abound 

Through  many  days. 


274  MOl'XT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Thus  from  thy  lotus  blossoms  we  have  learned 

A  lesson  true, 
To  plant  in  season  though  by  many  spurned, 

Or  praised  by  few, 
And  wait  in  patience  till  the  seed  is  turned 

To  beautv  new. 


WILLIAM  CULLEX  BRYANT. 

BORN   NOVEMBER   3,    1794. 

A   CENTURY'S  close  dims  not  thy  glorious  fame, 
Thou  loyal  son  of  brave  New  England  sires, 

Who  at  their  hearth-stones  kindled  freedom's  fires 
And  won  by  valorous  deeds  an  honored  name. 
A  noble  lineage  holds  thee  in  claim  ; 

Thy  soul  was  cradled  'neath  these  forest  spires 

Where  "God's  First  Temples"  wakened  high  desires, 
And  inspiration  fanned  Faith's  sacred  flame. 

Thy  dream  of  youth  in  "  Thanatopsis  "  given 
Into  thy  closing  days  its  beauty  wrought, 

And  gave  thee  access  to  a  loftier  heaven 
Than  is  by  creed  or  cringing  error  brought. 

All  honor  to  thy  blessed  memory, 

Long  live  the  praise  of  thy  sweet  minstrelsy. 


BETHESDA. 

AX/ITHOUT  the  Holy  City's  pond'rous  gate. 

There  calmly  lay  Bethesda's  healing  pool, 
Whose  waters  gushed  from  hidden  fountains  cool. 

Beside  its  curb  were  stricken  ones,  whom  fate 

Had  made  to  suffer,  there  to  watch  and  wait 
Till  God's  dear  angel  came,  as  was  its  rule — 
To  bring  the  gift  unknown  to  man  or  school 

That  would  restore  the  sick  and  desolate. 


HYGEIA. 


275 


We  all  have  errors,  illness  and  distress, 
Which  like  a  weight  upon  our  spirits  press, 
That  need  the  cleansing  of  the  crystal  wave, 
That  need  the  power  to  strengthen,  help  and  save. 
From  every  sin  we  long  to  find  redress 
Through  the  redeeming  life  of  holiness. 

* 


THE  HUMMING-BIRD. 

\A7EE  jeweled  beauty  of  the  summer  fair! 

How  love  our  hearts  such  pretty  little  things, 

Like  feathery  mist  appear  its  lightning  wings 
Wrought  like  the  rainbow  sunset,  sky  and  air. 
With  weight  that  scarce  would  balance  with  a  hair 

It  visits  'mong  the  flowers,  unpoised  it  clings, 

And  from  deep  nectaries  rich  sweets  it  brings 
With  matchless  speed  and  most  exquisite  care. 
It  darts  between  the  breezes  without  fear, 

And  dances  on  the  sunbeams  every  way  ; 
Is  still  as  gay  when  stormy  clouds  appear 

As  when  a  star  lets  down  its  silvery  ray. 
Think  of  its  tiny  nest  and  nestlings  dear 

'Mong  green  moss  sheltered  where  the  shadows 
play. 


HYGEIA. 

CAIR  goddess,  thou  wingest  through  every  land 

To  paint  bright  roses  on  each  smiling  face  ; 
O  leave  some  symbol  of  your  matchless  grace 

Where'er  you  linger,  and  with  steady  hand 

Renew  the  weak  and  fainting  with  your  magic  wand  ; 
Though  far  you  roam  yet  still  in  every  place 
The  artist's  skill  in  beauteous  forms  we  trace 

Like  gleaming  pictures  of  a  fairy  band. 


276  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Pure  health,  we  prize  you  for  the  wealth  you  bring, 
For  strength  and  blessing  crowning  all  our  days, 

And  may  the  youthful  voice  with  merry  ring 

Make  all  the  woodlands  sound  with  loving  praise 

For  your  rich  gift,  your  lovely  offering 
To  human  hearts  who  walk  in  righteous  ways. 


COMPENSATION. 

M  ATURE  is  strange,  but  meets  the  great  demand, 

She  has  a  substitute  at  every  hand  ; 
If  blind,  our  sense  of  touch  will  keener  grow, 

If  deaf  to  sound,  our  eyes  will  motion  know, 
If  numb  our  feet,  the  brain  will  help  contrive, 

Our  hands  will  prosper  us,  and  hopes  revive; 
But,  if  it  be  perchance  we  lose  our  breath, 

Her  only  offer,  is  the  boon  of  death. 


DEATH  OF  THE  PHARISEE. 

DASTOR  and  deacons,  and  members  were  there, 

The  church  tower  was  just  in  sight, 
And  the  Pharisee  gave  them  his  last  proud  prayer 

From  lips  that  were  deadly  white. 
He  spoke  of  the  good  that  the  blood  had  done 

That  dripped  from  Calvary's  tree, 
Of  the  godly  race  which  his  feet  had  run, 

Of  his  deeds  of  charity. 

And  he  thanked  the  Lord  again  and  again 

With  a  pious  befitting  look, 
That  he  was  not  like  unto  other  men, 

But  followed  the  Holv  Book. 


DBA  TH  OF  THE  PHARISEE. 

And  pastor  and  members  and  deacons  groaned, 
And  murmured,  "let  praise  be  given, 

The  crucified  also  for  us  atoned, 
With  him  we  shall  share  in  heaven." 

But  the  Pharisee  saw  through  veil  of  death 

An  angel  of  truth  draw  near, 
And  he  wildly  struggled  and  gasped  for  breath, 

For  his  soul  was  struck  with  fear. 
And  the  angel  said  with  searching  voice, 

"  Do  you  think  that  your  shams  will  win  ? 
Can  your  spirit  in  light  of  life  rejoice 

When  it  hath  a  burden  of  sin? " 

They  kindly  bolstered  the  Pharisee  up 

To  give  him  the  holy  bread, 
And  brought  with  care  the  communion  cup, 

Then  stood  amazed  at  his  dread. 
"Oh,  why  do  you  bring  me  the  wine,"  he  said, 

"  For  drunkards  my  eyes  can  see, 
That  unto  its  treacherous  tide  have  fled 

From  a  woe  that  was  wrought  by  me. 

"  Ah  !  they  were  the  trustful,  hopeful  men 

Who  thought  my  profession  true, 
But  just  by  the  turn  of  my  crafty  pen 

Black  ruin  their  fortunes  knew. 
And  oh  !  from  my  sijjht  take  the  children's  food, 

That  I  stole  from  the  widow's  hand, 
Their  father  had  called  me  his  kinsman  good, 

And  left  me  his  helpless  band. 

"  But  now  I  must  meet  with  that  humbled  race, 

Distorted  by  want  and  crime  ; 
Their  deep,  hidden  misery  and  anguish  trace 

In  passing  from  shores  of  Time. 
And  look  !  do  you  see  in  yon  crowded  street 

Lone  outcasts  that  wander  there  ? 
Do  you  know  that  their  hearts  once  pure  and  sweet 

Were  wreathed  with  parental  care  ? 


277 


278  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

11 1  gathered  them  into  my  lustful  arms 

By  wiles  that  a  fiend  might  hate  ; 
I  robbed  them  of  more  than  youthful  charms, 

But  repentance  comes  too  late." 
And  the  angel  said,  with  uplifted  hands, 

"Oh  !  would  that  they  all  might  hear, 
For  that  is  the  guilt  that  ensures  the  brand, 

Which  will  hardly  disappear." 

Then  the  Pharisee  raised  his  dying  head, 

And  said  in  a  bitter  tone, 
To  those  who  were  shrinking  round  his  bed, 

"  Can  anyone  cast  a  stone? 
For  we  are  alike  in  our  worldly  pride, 

Alike  in  the  angel's  eye, 
Alike  in  the  sins  I  strove  to  hide, 

And  alike  we  all  must  die. 

"  Then  give  to  the  flames  my  vain,  pompous  will, 

And  know  you  are  dispossessed, 
For  gain  that  was  gotten  by  means  so  ill 

Belongs  to  the  sore  oppressed." 
And  pastor  and  deacons  and  members  said 

With  many  a  knowing  shrug, 
"  Our  brother  is  fevered,  out  of  his  head, 

Physician,  where  is  thy  drug? 

"  Or  where  thy  balsam  of  acid  and  gall, 

That  was  a  last  drink  of  old  ?  " 
But  e'er  he  could  answer  their  urgent  call 

The  Pharisee's  heart  was  cold  ; 
And  they  gave  the  Pharisee  burial  grand, 

Griefless  as  ever  was  given  ; 
Published  his  righteousness  over  the  land, 

Yet  knew  he  was  far  from  heaven. 


THE  RAINBOW  OF  THE  MORNING.  279 


THE  RAINBOW  OF  THE  MORNING. 

A    SOB,  a  moan,  and  then  a  burst  of  tears, 

All  through  the  night  the  spirits  of  the  air 
Spoke  grief  like  lost  souls  smitten  with  despair, 
In  wail  and  groan. 

A  shaft  of  light,  the  first  glad  morning  sign, 
Then  grand  and  swift  through  ragged  rift 
Bright  golden  wedges  pierced  the  misty  hedges 
That  hid  the  valley's  line. 

And  up  the  hills  like  shadowy  ghosts 
Advanced  the  morning's  phantom  hosts, 
The  spectral  shades  that  warm  the  glades 
When  dew  distils. 

The  east  was  blue, 

But  in  the  west. a  cloud  hung  like  a  mourning  shroud, 

Then  silvery  streams  that  caught  the  beams, 

The  sun  sent  forth  from  south  to  north, 

Stretched  o'er  the  shaded  plain  and  draped  the  golden 

grain 
Like  beaded  fringes  new. 

Then  sunlight  struck  the  form  of  fast  retreating  storm, 
And  from  its  web  of  mist  spun  out  a  shining  twist, 
Whereon  with  magic  thread  of  gold  and  blue  and  red 
It  wove  a  fabric  old  ;  and  yet  as  new  as  when 
God  sent  His  sign  to  men  that  He  would  ne'er  again 
Destroy  His  works. 

And  so  when  friends  inquire 

What  lovely  scenes  inspire 

The  soul  to  marvel  at  the  earth's  adorning, 

I  say  that  to  my  mind 

The  best  that  God  designed 

Is  perfect  in  the  rai  nbow  of  the  morning 


28o  MO  UN  T  LEBA  NON  CEDA  R  BOUGHS. 


THE  GROVES. 

YA/E  love  the  groves,  the  groves  of  leafy  green, 
Where  cometh  many  a  beauty  of  the  year, 

Where  lingereth  not  a  shade  of  gloom  or  fear, 
For  sunshine  rays  come  every  bough  between, 
And  waves  of  summer  air  pass  through  unseen. 

From  topmost  heights  that  in  the  blue  appear 

Swell  happy  matinees  glad,  full  and  clear, 
And  all  day  reigneth  peace,  calm  and  serene. 
The  Dryads  love  the  groves  and  in  them  stray, 

And  Flora  takes  her  vines  to  blossom  there  ; 
E'en  Boreas — though  in  wild  tumultuous  way — 

Leaves  pearls  and  stars  among  them  everywhere. 
Who  loves  the  flowers  and  grass  and  summer  day 

Must  love  the  sylvan  isles  with  thought  and  care. 


PSYCHE. 

C\  SOUL  !  in  smallest  globule  sent 

^^^     From  the  innermost  Soul's  bright  Portal, 

With  infinite  purpose  and  life  intent 

When  fledged  are  thy  wings  immortal. 
No  folding  thy  powers  when  once  they  have  sprung 

From  the  chrysalis  that  confined  thee, 
From  life's  first  note  is  the  paean  sung 

Of  the  ages  that  enshrined  thee. 
Thy  breath  in  the  atom  first  is  felt ; 

Rock,  grass  and  tree  enfold  thee  ; 
Dissolving  matter  may  fuse  and  melt, 

Yet  its  various  forms  all  hold  thee, 
Progressing  toward  the  destined  height 

Through  mineral,  plant  and  creature, 
Till  man  appears  as  a  God  of  Light 

Perfect  in  form  and  feature. 


BY  THE  SEA.  28l 


FAITH. 

I  NTO  the  solemn  silence  of  the  night, 

We  lift  our  hands  in  confidence,  not  fear, 

We  feel  the  strength  of  unseen  forces  near  ; 
A  sheltering  love  encircles  with  its  might, 
A  light  shines  out  upon  the  inner  sight. 

The  outer  darkness  may  be  dense  and  drear, 

Yet  even  then  we  feel  that  God  is  here, 
And  with  a  childlike  trust  we  seek  the  light. 
Until  by  faith  anointed,  eyes  were  dim  ; 

We  blindly  groped  the  valley's  shadowed  way, 
Nor  saw  the  glory  of  the  mountain's  rim, 

Nor  blessed  the  hand  that  led  from  night  to  day. 
The  stars  may  pale,  but  faith's  clear  flame  shall  rise 
Refulgent  as  the  glow  of  noon-day  skies. 


BY  THE  SEA. 

T  LINGERED  alone  on  the  shore  white  and  still, 
Close  by  the  grand,  great  and  wonderful  sea, 

While  foam-crested  waves,  high-rising  and  free 
Surged  inward  and  outward  as  ever  they  will. 
I  saw  the  sea  nymphs  in  fanciful  drill, 

My  ear  caught  the  notes  of  their  sweet  melody  ; 

My  spirit  transported  with  glad  ecstacy 
Forgot  every  dread  and  deep-hidden  ill. 
High  up  from  the  waves  I  watched  the  sun  rise, 

And  gathering  its  rays,  again  hide  its  gold  ; 
O'er  the  swelled  waters  with  forceful  surprise 

I  saw  the  wild  storm  its  terrors  unfold, 
Then  pass  ;  and  a  mirror  unchanging  it  lies 

Where  heaven's  bright  image  is  fair  to  behold. 


282  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOl'GHS. 


WRECKED. 

\A7HAT  more  could  have  been  done  for  thee  O  soul ! 
Whose  plighted  faith  and  broken  vows,  now  lie 
Like  empty  shells  upon  a  foreign  shore. 
Where  hast  thou  drifted  ?     Down  a  dangerous  tide, 
Till  thou  art  stranded  on  those  hidden  reefs 
That  skillful  mariners  with  care  avoid  ; 
But  which  the  incautious  dash  upon 
With  all  the  fury  of  the  surging  waves. 
Wrecked  !  alas  !  the  very  thought  brings  grief. 
That    barque,    whose    sails,   spread    to  the  favoring 

breeze, 

Braved  tempest,  storm  and  tide  full  many  a  year, 
While  faith  stood  at  the  helm,  and  marked  her  course, 
And  every  virtue,  bore  a  noble  sway 
At  all  the  posts  of  duty  and  of  trust. 
But  lo !  a  dead  calm  rested  o'er  life's  sea, 
The  white  sails,  reefed,  unto  the  topmasts  clung, 
The  pilot  slept,  and  all  on  board  reposed, 
Nor  ever  thought  of  danger  brooding  near. 
E'en  conscience  failed  her  vigils  true  to  keep  ; 
So,  lulled  to  rest  secure,  they  sweetly  dreamed 
Of  quaffing  pleasure  from  life's  gilded  font. 
But,  from  below,  up  sprang  a  treacherous  crew, 
As  unperceived  before  ;  weak  in  their  strength 
When  all  the  higher  powers  held  firm  their  sway 
Nor  parleyed  with  a  spirit  mean  and  base. 
Bold  unbelief,  at  first  possession  took, 
Desires  unhallowed  followed  in  its  wake, 
And  bound  were  all  the  safeguards  of  that  soul. 
They  loosed  the  anchor,  spread  the  outmost  sail, 
Threw  out  the  ballast,  and  in  reckless  haste 
Sped  on,  they  cared  not  where  they  went. 
The  captain's  voice  was  dumb,  and  mute  the  sighs 
Of  all  the  former  guardians  of  that  barque. 
And  now  aground  on  shoals  and  sands  of  time, 
O  who  shall  rescue  ?     Is  there  none  to  save  ? 


PA  TIENCE.  283 

We  leave  it  in  the  hands  of  Him,  who  rules 
The  destiny  of  souls,  and  giveth  charge 
Unto  the  angel  world  concerning  them. 


FORGIVENESS. 

A    BLOOMING  rose,  with  matchless  beauty  flushed, 
Swayed  in  the  breeze  its  censered  fragrance  rare, 

Each  passer  by  thought  it  surpassing  fair. 
The  noon-day  sun  glowed  bright,  it  deeper  blushed, 
The  dews  at  even-tide  came  still  and  hushed  ; 

But  ere  the  light  had  flown,  O  want  of  care, 

A  thoughtless  hand  had  snapped  the  beauty  there, 
And  in  the  path  it  lay  all  torn  and  crushed. 
Then,  did  it  tear  with  thorns  the  ruthless  foe 

That  flung  unto  the  winds  its  wealth  of  bloom  ? 
It  blest  the  hand  that  laid  its  beauty  low, 

And  with  its  dying  breath  gave  sweet  perfume. 
O,  Christ-like  love  !     Shall  human  hearts  do  less? 
Then  render  good  for  ill,  the  smiter  bless. 


-*- 


PATIENCE. 

1VJ  OT  unto  every  one  comes  wealth  or  fame, 

The  pomp  of  triumph,  and  the  gift  of  pride  ; 
Not  unto  all  comes  glory's  wondrous  name, 
Whose  throne  and  altar  have  been  deified. 

All  may  not  wear  the  martyr's  cloak  of  fire, 
Nor  clasp  with  fervent  arms  the  burning  stake  ; 

All  may  not  feel  the  prophet's  high  desire, 
Nor  drink  the  poison  cup  for  conscience  sake. 


284  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

These  call  for  courage  which  to  few  is  given, 
But  humble  martyrs  meet  us  every  day, 

God's  patient  ones  who  steadfastly  have  striven 
'Gainst  foes  within,  and  kept  them  far  at  bay. 

Still  all  sometimes  may  feel  the  stress  of  toil ; 

The  disappointment  that  has  failed  to  win  ; 
All  may  with  sorrow  burn  the  midnight  oil, 

Alone  with  trouble,  doubt,  distrust  and  sin. 

All  may  be  tried  as  never  soul  was  tried  ; 

For  so  I  know,  no  two  can  feel  alike  ; 
No  one  can  die  the  death  another  died, 

No  one  has  struck  where  you  and  I  must  strike. 

No  one  has  felt  the  triumph  we  may  feel, 
Nor  seen  the  light  that  yet  may  flood  our  eyes, 

No  one  has  heard  the  music  grand  and  real 
That  still  may  come  to  us  from  paradise. 

But  hearts  that  suffer  secretly  will  know 
That  Patience  with  her  gentle  touch  is  near, 

With  balm  to  soothe  the  spirit's  inmost  woe, 
And  heal  the  wounds  of  bitter  doubt  and  fear. 

Then  take  new  courage  where  before  you  failed, 
Guard  well  your  life  with  watchful  faith  and  prayer, 

And  when  your  eyes  with  falling  tears  are  veiled 
Look  o'er  the  mist,  the  Patience-bow  is  there. 


MY  CONCLUSION. 

I  SOMETIMES  deem  good  fortune 

Has  come  with  me  to  stay, 
For  shadows  seem  to  turn  about 
And  go  the  other  way. 


TO  OUR  HONORED  FA  THER.  385 

The  clouds  disperse,  the  sky  grows  bright, 

Despair  is  lifted  up, 
I  find  success  in  everything, 

I  read  it  in  the  cup. 

I  gather  up  the  ills  of  life, 

I'll  never  have  them  more, 
And  put  them  in  the  wheel  of  fate 

Revolving  at  my  door. 

But  consternation,  what  dismay, 

What  disappointment,  when 
The  wheel  of  fortune  turns  around 

And  spills  them  out  again. 

O  I'm  forever  baffled 

With  the  ups  and  downs  of  life, 
And  ceasing  will  be  never 

Till  ends  this  mortal  strife. 

Hut  life's  gray  skein  and  threads  of  gold 

Are  tangled  into  wit, 
And  if  this  world  is  good  for  me 

I  still  am  good  for  it. 


TO  OUR  HONORED  FATHER, 

DANIEL   BOLER. 

C\  SOUL  colossal !  loving  fountain  heart ! 
^^^     O  spirit  clothed  with  heavenly  holiness  I 
A  wisdom  that  was  wise  in  every  part, 
A  charity  revealed  in  lowliness. 

We  stand  before  thee,  children  of  thy  care, 

Whom  thou  has  guarded  thro'  the  changing  years, 

Taught  by  the  counsel,  shielded  by  thy  prayer, 
That  circling  bond  that  gathers  and  endears. 


286  MOU.\T  LEBA.\0.\  CEDAR  BOL'GHS. 

Thy  foresight  that  o'erlooked  the  battle-cloud 
Heavy  with  thunder-bolt  and  black  with  doom, 

Saw  still  that  God  was  where  the  tempests  crowd, 
And  Zion  should  preserve  her  pristine  bloom. 

Calamity  was  powerless  to  dismay, 

Nor  could  emergency  o'erthrow  thy  trust, 

That  searching  vision  in  its  grand  survey 
Beheld  life's  trials  but  as  desert  dust. 

Thy  love  was  an  oasis,  restful,  calm, 

And  cooling  springs  the  weary  pilgrims  found, 

The  breath  of  balsam  and  the  touch  of  balm 
That  banished  grief  and  healed  the  sharpest  wound. 

A  shepherd,  father,  saviour,  true  from  youth, 
Then  God's  Annointed,  called  to  comprehend 

Unfoldments  vast  from  occult  realms  of  truth, 
And  yet  to  lowliest,  blindest  souls  descend. 

Tho'  thistle-hearts  wore  armor  barbed  with  sin 
That  tore  thy  tender  heart  and  made  it  bleed  ; 

Thine  eye  discovered  soft,  white  love  within, 
Above  wild  nature's  rank  and  cruel  seed. 

What  joy,  what  anguish  quivered  in  thy  breast 
Like  arrow-heads  and  sunbeams  on  a  tree, 

The  heavenly  host  and  Zion's  faithful,  blest, 
While  rabble  passion  shot  askance  at  thee. 

Within  Christ's  sufferings  thou  hadst  learned  to  live, 

Until  beatitudes  thy  spirit  knew, 
And  thou  couldst  say,  "  My  Parents,  O  forgive  !  " 

The  undeveloped  know  not  what  they  do. 

We  heard  thy  eloquence  for  Zion  roll, 
And  bear  conviction  to  invade  the  heart, 

Exalted  messages  that  thrilled  the  soul, 
And  gave  it  courage  for  an  upward  start. 


DUTY.  287 

There  was  a  grandeur  not  to  be  described 

In  thy  integrity's  pervading  grace  ; 
The  immortality  thy  life  imbibed 

Gave  strength  and  glory  to  thy  noble  face. 

Our  thoughts,  our  memories  like  the  swelling  sea 
Whose  loud-voiced  billows  sink  in  music  sweet, 

Lift  up  their  waves  of  gratitude  to  thee, 
Then  murmuring  melt  in  tear-drops  at  thy  feet. 

Like  birds  of  passage,  resting  from  the  wing, 
The  words  that  we  would  summon  take  their  flight ; 

But  what  are  words  before  the  offering 
Our  innmost  souls  bring  to  thee  as  thy  right. 


DUTY. 

A  NARROW  mountain  pass  my  feet  must  go  ; 
A  steep  declivity,  a  rugged  way, 

My  back  must  ache  with  burdens  of  the  day, 
Stern  cragged  rocks  their  darkening  presence  throw, 
The  mists  rise  up  from  valleys  dim  and  low  ; 

O'er  thorny  paths,  through  shadows  cold  and  grey, 

Still  on  I  press,  nor  pause  in  dread  dismay, 
For  it  is  duty's  path  full  well  I  know. 
Still  will  I  climb,  and  climbing,  gain  the  height, 

Worn  are  my  sandals,  peace  my  feet  has  shod, 
While  hope  beholds  the  shining  Tabor  light, 

And  love  forgets  the  road  my  feet  have  trod, 
And  from  the  mount  of  vision,  on  my  sight 

Gleams  the  bright  vernal  table-lands  of  God. 


288  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

TRIBUTE  OF  AFFECTION  TO  ELDER 
GILES  B.  AVERY. 

C\  WE  bewail  tliee  !  yet  with  sorrowing  trust 

Reach  through  the  darkness  for  the  helping  hand, 
For  God  will  succor,  yea  He  will,  He  must 
Relieve  the  anguish  of  this  smitten  band. 

O  we  bewail  thee  !  on  the  mountain  height 
Thy  spirit  like  a  quenchless  signal  gleamed, 

Inspiring  to  a  freer,  loftier  flight, 
To  that  full  good  whereof  the  world  hath  dreamed. 

Thou  were  to  us  an  angel  in  the  form,     . 

Thy  love  encircled  Zion  in  its  sheen, 
To  temper  e'en  the  passing  of  the  storm, 

And  make  her  vineyards  flourishing  and  green. 

A  soul  transparent,  yet  not  sun  nor  moon 
Made  of  thy  righteousness  a  beacon  tower, 

The  light  of  God  was  in  thee  at  its  noon, 
His  attributes  unrivaled  gave  thee  power. 

O  patient  loving  one  !  O  martyr  soul  ! 

Beside  the  altar  standing  in  thy  lot, 
How  oft  ingratitude  made  thee  its  goal, 

And  all  that  sin  produced  with  venom  brought : 

But  virtues  held  the  temple  of  thy  life, 
Serene  forgiveness  kept  the  pearly  gate, 

And  looked  with  pitying  eyes  upon  the  strife, 
And  but  deplored  the  fallen  human  state. 

Thy  triumph  here,  an  altitude  sublime, 
Ambition  dead  and  crumbled  into  dust ; 

Thy  spirit  roused  to  teach  the  weak  to  climb 
To  where  thy  treasures  were  secure  from  rust. 


TRIBUTE  OF  AFFECTION. 


289 


Thy  wealth  of  kindred  o'er  the  opal  tide, 
A  shining  host,  by  far  too  vast  to  view  ; 

Thy  loved  companions  on  the  shadow  side 
As  bright,  as  trusted,  but  alas,  so  few. 

With  them  thy  interest  and  thy  strength  will  be, 
Fair  courts  could  not  entice  nor  death  debar  ; 

As  well  set  back  the  limit  of  the  sea, 
Or  from  its  orbit  drive  the  polar  star. 

Thy  dauntless  words  still  ringing  in  our  ears, 
"  Alone  ! — not  so  ;  the  heavens  are  on  our  side, 

The  work  of  God  is  thrilling  !  and  appears 
In  endless  magnitude,  all  glorified  ! 

"  The  numbers  may  be  few,  the  remnant  small, 
We  do  not  see  the  hosts  that  for  us  fight, 

Discouragement  nor  evil,  ne'er  befall 
The  faithful  souls  who  travel  in  the  light. 

"The  work  of  God  His  legions  will  sustain, 
There  is  no  such  thing  as  failure,  Truth  is  sure  ; 

The  cross  wins  what  the  sword  can  never  gain, 
Faith!  living  faith  !  the  victory  will  secure." 

O  words  of  prophecy  !  your  import  grand 
Break  our  bereavement  with  a  sense  of  cheer, 

For  he  who  bore  them,  now  in  spirit  land, 
Will  he  not  make  our  duty  still  more  clear  ? 

Did  he  unmindful  from  his  burden  go, 
And  leave  to  bleeding  hearts  his  life-long  care  ? 

Nay,  he  will  enter  heaven's  immortal  glow 
With  lips  of  eloquence,  with  heart  of  prayer. 

Our  own  ambassador,  gone  up  to  plead, 
Appeal,  implore  and  crave  for  aid  divine  ; 

Who  better  knows  our  urgency  and  need 
Than  he  whose  soul  was  prayers,  perpetual  shrine  ? 


290 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


The  supplications  often  sent,  he  takes, 

Goes  with  them  now  to  advocate  their  claim, 

His  hidden  fire  in  Zion,  smolders — wakes — 
And  bursts  in  shafts  of  sin-consuming  flame. 

Home  questions  rise,  and  in  the  honest  soul 
The  answer  follows  with  unswerving  zeal, 

For  they  who  seek  the  cleansing  waves  that  roll 
Pause  not  to  cavil,  nor  uncertain  feel. 

What  is  my  aim,  my  purpose,  slow  or  swift  ? 

My  love,  my  loyalty  to  Zion's  laws? 
Abjuring  self,  submission  to  the  gift, 

Full  dedication  to  her  sacred  cause. 

And  whatsoe'er  is  less  than  this  is  sin, 
The  Judas  spirit  that  would  still  betray  ; 

The  coward — traitor — that  would  seek  to  win 
Some  vile  advantage  in  the  adverse  day. 

The  brave  support  the  lasting  work  of  God, 
And  to  the  rock-bed  of  their  faith  go  down 

To  find  its  strong  foundations  firm  and  broad, 
Whose  superstructure  shall  the  ages  crown. 

In  Zion's  tribulation  none  are  small  ; 

From  out  of  sorrow  heroism  springs  ; 
Integrity  is  more  than  mounted  walls, 

And  sweet  obedience  draws  protecting  wings. 

Calamity  unmatched  hath  dealt  its  blow, 

And  smote  the  Shepherd,  and  our  eyes  are  dim, 

While  they  whose  balsam  healed  our  every  woe, 
'Tis  ours  to  solace  in  their  grief  for  him. 

The  mantle  of  his  suffering  must  descend, 

Some  back  must  bend  its  heavy  weight  to  bear; 

But  send  by  whom  thou  wilt,  O  Mother  send  ! 
And  Zion's  borders  will  respond  with  prayer. 


ELDER  RICHARD  BUSHNELL. 

Affection's  sheaves — the  garnered  good  in  store — 
The  first  fruits  and  the  last — the  blossoms  new — 

Afflicted  parents,  at  your  feet  we  pour, 

F~or  Zion's  heart  of  hearts  would  comfort  you. 


A  HOLY  STILLNESS. 

C\  CALM,  clear  morning  air  !  all  earth  is  still 
With  sweet  serenity  of  Sabbath  day, 

The  early  light  of  morning's  golden  ray 
Rests  like  the  smile  of  God  on  plain  and  hill. 
Subdued  the  songster's  lay,  and  babbling  rill ; 

The  grasses,  glittering  in  their  gemmed  array, 

Wave  low,  as  if  an  angel  passed  that  way ; 
This  holy  stillness  chides  each  erring  will. 
Calm  us,  O  God  !  and  let  Thy  balm  of  peace 

Drop  soothingly,  as  dew  drops  on  the  flowers ; 
And  may  Thy  love  our  aching  hearts  release 

From  the  harsh  tumult  of  life's  weary  hours. 
For  in  Thy  peace  our  fevered  longings  cease, 

And  in  Thy  love,  strength,  rest  from  toil  are  ours. 


291 


ELDER  RICHARD  BUSHNELL. 

T  T  E  brought  a  glorious  manhood  to  the  strife, 

And  gave  it  freely,  with  a  noble  will ; 
He  made  a  consecration  of  his  life, 

And  bade  ambition's  trumpet-voice  be  still. 
For  he  had  powers  that  would  have  gained  the  fame,. 

The  wealth,  the  honors,  that  the  world  bestows. 
But  better  far,  to  him,  was  lot  and  name 

Among  the  people  that  his  conscience  chose. 
He  came  to  them  with  zealous  heart  and  hand. 

Made  all  their  interests  his  absorbing  care; 
Strong  in  his  faith,  met  persecution's  band, 

Yet  held  his  heart  in  lowly  strains  of  prayer. 


292  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  clash  of  elements  that  round  him  rung 

Awoke  his  energies  to  fight  within, 
To  strive,  for  conquest  while  his  life  was  young, 

And  evermore  to  wage  a  war  with  sin. 
In  thought,  and  power  to  sway,  he  was  a  king  ; 

He  won  a  royal  priesthood  by  his  zeal  ; 
His  soul  was  gentle  as  an  angel's  wing, 

Yet  it  was  keen  as  Truth's  incisive  steel. 

Before  him,  malice  (supplicating)  knelt, 

And  bitter  envy  laid  her  face  in  dust, 
While  bold  assailants  lost  the  rage  they  felt 

And  sought  for  pardon,  half  convinced  they  must. 
He  gave  forgiveness  as  the  morn  gives  light ; 

He  gave  his  love  as  seasons  give  their  fruit ; 
He  blessed  with  tenderness,  rebuked  with  might, 

Quelled  human  passions  till  their  waves  were  mute. 

And  when  his  autumn  crimsoned  to  its  close, 

We  saw  the  garnered  treasures  he  had  found  ; 
We  felt  his  soul's  unspeakable  repose, 

And  knew  his  spirit  was  with  vict'ry  crowned. 
We'll  miss  his  cheery  voice,  and  kindly  smile ; 

We'll  miss  the  hands  whose  industry  we  prize  ; 
We'll  call  him  often,  in  the  little  while 

That  from  our  home  to  his  so  misty  lies. 

O  father,  as  we  bid  adieu  to  thee, 

Our  heart-strings  vibrate  with  a  plaintive  swell ; 
Our  love  upwelling,  gushing  warm  and  free 

Shall  reach  thy  spirit  wheresoe'er  it  dwell. 
What  though  the  years  made  halos  in  thy  hair, 

And  carved  their  furrows  on  thy  open  brow  ; 
They  could  not  give  thy  heart  one  rankling  care  ; 

Thy  life  was  true,  and  thou  art  blessed  now. 


TO  OUR  FATHER.  293 


FIELDS  OF  HEAVEN. 

LJ  E  has  gone  to  the  broader  fields  of  heaven, 
To  reap  fruition  of  his  earthly  toil, 

No  more  for  sustenance  to  strive  and  moil 
For  which  his  mortal  strength  and  life  were  given; 
For  simple  good  his  soul  has  wisely  striven, 

And  not  for  greed  of  wealth  or  worldly  spoil, 

Acquired  by  means  from  which  true  hearts  recoil. 
O,  hang  his  scythe  upon  the  willow  bough 

The  old-time  friend  of  more  than  forty  years, 
With  laurel  twine  the  faithful  farmer's  plow, 

Nor  weep,  nor  sigh  with  many  bitter  tears, 
For  he  who  passes  from  our  vision  now 
Hath  wrought  with  honest  aim  and  noble  vow ; 

His  sterling  worth  a  shining  shaft  appears. 


-*- 


TO  OUR  FATHER, 

ELDER    FREDERICK   W.    EVANS. 

ONE   OF    THE    IMMORTAL   NAMES    THAT   WERE   NOT   BORN    TO    DIE. 

LJ  ONOR  in  life  to  whom  is  honor  due ; 

O  gladly  do  we  bring  the  pearls  of  praise, 
And  flowers  of  gratitude  profusely  strew 
Upon  the  pathway  of  thy  autumn  days. 
Why  should  we  wait  until  the  earthly  end 
To  blindly  reach  across  the  jasper  wall, 
The  wealth,  the  blessing  that  should  now  descend, 
The  benedictions  that  should  on  thee  fall  ? 
Affection's  tokens  fill  each  rolling  year, 
They  come  like  planets  fair  to  gem  thy  dome, 
The  true,  the  just  thy  uprightness  revere  ; 
But  more  than  fame  to  thee,  is  love  of  home. 
From  east  and  west,  from  islands  of  the  sea, 
From  lands  afar  beyond  the  belt  of  waves 


2<)4  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Come  messages  of  love  and  thanks  to  thee 

For  nobly  sending  forth  the  word  that  saves. 

True  to  thy  call  to  preach  unto  the  world, 

That  place  of  bondage  and  of  spirit  needs, 

To  show  the  serpent  in  the  roses  curled, 

And  hurl  swift  thunderbolts  against  the  creeds  ; 

No  fear,  no  tie,  no  favor  could  deter 

Thy  valient  spirit  from  the  conflict  strong, 

Unflinchingly  it  faced  the  powers  that  were, 

And  bravely  used  its  sword  on  ancient  wrong. 

Integrity  and  zeal  perhaps  are  stern  ; 

They  are  thine  armor,  warm  the  heart  below  ; 

Up  through  thine  eyes  we  see  its  home-fires  burn, 

And  in  thy  kindliness  we  feel  their  glow. 

The  earth  demands  such  saviors  as  thou  art ; 

Myrrh  and  frankincense  will  not  banish  sin, 

'Tis  fire  from  heaven  that  will  cleanse  the  heart, 

And  consecration,  life  anew  begin. 

'Twas  work,  'twas  battle  that  thy  ardor  taught, 

'Twas  deep  repentance  where  God's  mercies  flow, 

'Twas  Babylon's  confusions  brought  to  naught, 

Ambition,  pride  and  selfishness  laid  low. 

'Twas  angel  purity,  pellucid,  bright, 

The  word  of  life  revealed,  not  man-construed  ; 

The  dawning  of  the  day,  not  sunset  lighf, 

The  large  unfathomed  faith  that  still  renewed. 

The  hope  that  on  the  present  laid  its  balm, 

Healed  the  dull  wound  and  soothed  the  rankling  pain, 

To  griefs  wild  tempest  gave  the  magic  calm, 

And  soaring,  breathed  a  full  triumphal  strain. 

That  hope,  no  storm-glooms  could  obscure  or  dim, 

It  cleft  the  darkness  witli  its  sabre  rays, 

And  gave  the  future's  broken,  distant  rim 

A  coronet  of  jewels  all  ablaze. 

Dear  father,  how  we  prize  that  glorious  hope, 

That  chieftain  spirit,  that  the  heights  would  scale, 

That  never  stooped  in  fallacies  to  grope, 

And  never  knew  the  coward's  watch-word,  "  fail !  " 

Swift  as  the  eagle's  glance  o'er  cloud  or  fen, 


PLEASURE. 


295 


Thine  eyes  discerned  the  work  that  was  of  God, 

And  knew  the  structure  that  was  reared  by  men,   • 

And  smote  it  with  the  angel's  gifted  rod. 

Whate'er  of  Christ  or  holiness  the  claim, 

Lofty  in  whiteness,  or  in  whiteness  low, 

Thy  test  of  purity  was  still  the  same, 

For  loathsome  leprosy  is  white  as  snow. 

The  test  was  in  thy  soul,  the  work  it  did 

Gave  doctrines  by  the  dual-Christ  revealed, 

Henceforth  in  thee  were  treasures  shown  and  hid, 

Because  thy  call  by  sacrifice  was  sealed. 

What  is  the  mountain's  crest  above  the  storm, 

And  what  the  seaward  river's  constant  tide, 

Or  mellow  autumn  sun  diffused  and  warm, 

Compared  with  lives  by  travail  glorified  ? 

Think  not  our  love  has  placed  thy  worth  too  high, 

For  thou  art  Zion's,  none  can  swell  the  claim, 

And  long  as  truth  is  blazoned  in  the  sky, 

Bright  in  her  galaxy  shall  glow  thy  name 

With  those  of  saints  who  suffered.     Earth  may  pass, 

And  heaven  be  brought  together  like  a  scroll, 

Yet  shall  they  shine  above  the  sea  of  glass, 

Within  the  deathless  region  of  the  soul. 


-*- 


PLEASURE. 

Can  pride  and  sensuality  rejoice? 

From  purity  of  thought  all  pleasure  springs, 

And  from  an  humble  spirit  all  our  peace. 

Young. 

C\     VAIN  and  empty  is  the  human  mind 

'     That  seeks  for  happiness  in  sensuous  things, 
That  drinks  of  pleasure's  bubbling  surface  springs, 
And  thinks  therein  to  satisfaction  find. 
True  joy  is  born  within  the  soul's  calm  deep, 
Where  lofty  aspiration  plumes  her  wings, 
Where  wise  reflection  all  her  treasure  brings, 
And  sweet  contentment  ever  dwells  enshrined. 


296  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Gay  throngs  and  giddy  crowds  may  onward  sweep 
Along  life's  path  with  passion's  blinding  force, 
But  they  who  in  love's  lowly  valley  keep, 
Shall  join  with  angels  in  an  upward  course, 
The  rich  reward  of  conscious  blessing  reap, 
And  draw  their  pleasure  from  a  heavenly  source. 


JOINED  THE  IMMORTALS. 

T  N  earth  we  lay  the  manly  form  away, 

But  who  can  hold  the  spirit  bold  and  free? 

It  soars  to  broader  life  and  liberty 
Where  noble  powers  of  heart  and  mind  bear  sway. 
With  conscious  strength  of  will  he  held  at  bay 

And  conquered  truth's  most  subtle  enemy, 

He  magnified  his  soul's  divinity 
And  lived  beyond  the  progress  of  his  day. 

Prophet  and  priest,  perhaps  of  eons  old, 
Inhabitant  of  world's  advanced  in  light, 

Incarnate,  that  his  spirit  might  unfold 
Unto  the  race  the  higher  law  of  right. 
How  true  his  purpose,  and  how  keen  his  sight 

That    through  time's   vista  pierced  the  gates  of 
gold. 


-*- 


GRATEFUL  TRIBUTE 

To  a  beloved  father  in  Israel,  Elder  Joseph  Bracket,  of  West 
Gloucester,  Maine,  for  his  beautiful  soul-inspiring  words  contribu 
ted  to  our  monthly  paper,  '1  he  Manifesto. 

A  H  !  words  of  truth  from  living  springs  sent  forth, 

A  father's  blessing  mingled  with  his  love 
Are  to  the  soul  what  light  is  to  the  earth, 
Or  dew  and  shower  distilling  from  above. 


GRA  TEFUL   TRIBUTE. 


297 


Baptized,  regenerate  and  exalted  soul ! 

True  to  the  virgin  principle,  that  gave 
Thy  early  manhood  power  of  self-control, 

And  bore  thee  safely  o'er  sin's  tidal  wave. 

All  glorious  in  the  resurrection  life ! 

A  savior  risen  on  Mount  Zion's  height, 
Where  earth,  tumultous  in  her  surging  strife 

Can  never  wreck  thy  battlements  of  right. 

A  happy  greeting  from  unnumbered  hearts 
Flows  forth  like  ripples  on  a  summer  sea ; 

The  tide  of  loving  feeling  outward  starts, 

Moved  by  the  weighty  words  there  dropped  by  thee. 

The  golden  sheaves  of  ripe  experience 
We  gather  in  the  storehouse  of  the  mind, 

And  realize  the  goodly  recompense, 
The  faithful  through  obedience  may  find. 

Thy  four-score  years  to  holy  service  given, 

Thy  consecration  to  a  noble  aim, 
Have  made  a  record  in  the  higher  heaven, 

And  placed  among  the  saints  thy  hallowed  name. 

Just  like  the  worthy  patriarch  of  old, 

O,  may  the  mantle  of  thy  blessing  fall 
On  those  who  now  thy  pure  example  hold, 

And  on  truth's  altar  sacrifice  their  all. 

Ah!  selfish  loves  and  vain  ambition  draw 
Too  many  souls  from  purposes  of  right ; 

The  carnal  life  all  good  would  over-awe 

And  dim  the  brightness  of  fair  Reason's  light. 

The  cross  forbidding  seems  to  those  who  seek 
The  charms  of  pleasure's  evanescent  day; 

But  to  the  innocent,  the  chaste  and  meek, 
'Tis  wreathed  in  flowers  that  never  fade  away. 


398  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Not  vain  shall  prove  thy  labors  in  the  Lord, 
Though  souls — unwise — the  way  of  life  shall  spurn, 

Thou  wilt  enjoy  thy  merited  reward, 

And  many  yet  to  righteousness  will  turn. 

O,  may  thy  few  remaining  years  be  crowned 
With  peace  and  rest,  angelic  and  serene, 

And  heavenly  glory  to  thy  soul  redound 
When  no  dark  clouds  or  shadows  intervene  ! 

Witli  thee  our  prayer  of  faith  shall  never  wane  ; 

The  good  thou'st  prophesied  we  know  will  come, 
And  rich  will  be  the  spiritual  increase 

That  yet  shall  bless  each  happy  Zion  home. 


DAY  AND  NIGHT. 

f^\NE  mass  of  gems  the  arching  dome, 

One  mellow  twilight  way, 
A  burst  of  morn's  effulgent  light, 
And  night  is  lost  in  day. 

The  lengthening  shadows  circle  round, 
The  sunbeams  glide  from  sight, 

Far  westward  spreads  a  lake  of  gold, 
And  day  is  lost  in  night. 

An  opening  bud— a  full  blown  rose, 

The  sands  of  life  are  run; 
Death  clasps  time  and  eternity, 

And  day  and  night  are  one. 


NOT  DEAD. 


NOT  DEAD. 

IN   MEMORY   OF   BROTHER    DANIEL   FRASER, 
OCTOBER    10,   1889. 

ID  ASSED  from  our  mortal  vision, 

Stamped  with  the  seal  of  death; 
Not  dead,  but  in  homes  elysian 
Breathing  immortal  breath. 

"  Not  dead,"  I  hear  him  saying, 
"  For  in  these  realms  sublime, 

Those  who  are  truth  obeying 
Find  death  life's  blossom  time." 

The  floweret  of  the  summer 
Lies  cold  in  autumn's  tomb; 

But  soon  the  soft  May  breezes 
Revive  the  bud  and  bloom. 

And  thus  the  spirit  groweth 
Through  all  life's  toil  and  pain, 

Its  essence  upward  goeth, 
To  bloom  in  spring  again. 

So  our  beloved  has  left  us, 
Yet  mourn  we  not  in  grief, 

The  angels  have  bereft  us 
To  claim  the  ripened  sheaf. 

Yea,  ripened  by  the  doing 

Of  deeds  of  godliness, 
By  duty's  path  pursuing 

That  leads  to  righteousness. 

No  good  thing  ever  dieth, 
And  they  who  rise  from  loss, 

Will  find  earth's  struggles  brightened 
By  the  halo  of  the  cross. 


299 


300 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

The  tribute  that -we  bring  thee 
Our  heart's  affections  hold  ; 

Through  all  thy  life  there  runneth 
A  thread  of  purest  gold. 

For  lowly  one  benighted 
Thy  pitying  heart  was  stirred, 

No  cause  by  justice  lighted 

But  thy  strong  voice  was  heard. 

No  monument  we  rear  thee, 

No  costly  work  of  art, 
Thy  works  and  life  endear  thee 

Unto  each  loving  heart. 

Blest  is  the  soul  that  giveth 

Its  all  in  sacrifice  ; 
Not  dead,  that  spirit  liveth 

In  heaven's  own  paradise. 

Not  dead  but  only  drifted 

A  little  farther  on, 
To  where  the  veil  is  lifted 

In  the  summer  land  of  song. 

I  catch  the  strains  of  gladness, 
Rung  from  the  harps  of  gold, 

Released  from  mortal  sadness, 
What  glories  now  unfold. 

*O  spirit  blest,  immortal ! 

Yea,  pure  and  holy  one, 
Gained  is  the  pearly  portal, 
Thine  are  the  laurels  won. 

Harken,  sweet  angel  voices 

Float  from  the  azure  height, 
"Not  dead,  his  soul  rejoices 
In  heaven's  eternal  light." 


MO  THERHO  OD.  301 


MOTHERHOOD. 

\  A/HO  is  a  mother?     She  who  strongly  holds 
A  little  group  of  ties  of  kindred  blood  ; 
Whose  dearest  treasures  are  the  hearts  she  folds, 
Whose  one  ambition  is  their  joy,  their  good. 

Her  deep,  deep  love  knows  not  the  ebbing  wave 

That   wrecks   the  heart  on  life's  dark  treacherous 

tides ; 
She  takes  the  path  that  leadeth  to  the  grave 

If  on  it  duty  to  her  loved  abides. 
Her  self-forgetfulness  is  still  the  same, 

Affection  prompts  her  ever  helpful  hand  ; 
From  childhood's  foible  unto  manhood's  aim 

She  patient  suffers  for  that  little  band. 

Yet  she  is  only  like  the  brooding  bird 

That  spreads  her  breast  against  the  coming  storm, 
That  trembles  not  when  thunders  loud  are  heard, 

But  self-reliant,  keeps  her  fledglings  warm. 
From  fierce  gorilla  down  to  sightless  mole, 

The  female  loves  and  cherishes  her  charge, 
Then  cannot  woman  with  immortal  soul 

That  narrow  scope  of  motherhood  enlarge  ? 

If  she  have  children,  they  should  bind  her  heart 

To  sympathize  with  every  child  on  earth  ; 
To  make  all  mothers'  care  of  her's  a  part, 

And  claim  her  hand  to  sow  the  seeds  of  worth. 
And  happy  she  if  none  around  her  cling, 

And  she  is  free  where  childrens'  need  is  great, 
To  gather  orphans  'neath  her  sheltering  wing 

And  be  an  angel  in  the  way  of  fate. 

O  she  whose  mind  may  tread  a  path  of  stars, 
Whose  aspirations  heavenly  circuits  take, 

Shall  pass  with  seraphs,  through  all  bolts  and  bars 
Till  fettered  captives  learn  their  chains  to  break. 


302  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

And  wrongs  that  now  cry  loudly  unto  God, 

Will  sink  in  silence  and  dissolve  in  air, 
When  the  weak  victims  that  oppression  trod, 

Shall  rise  to  freedom  and  develop  there, 
No  more  will  they  the  crystal  goblet  fill 

With  crimson  serpents  to  infest  the  brain  ; 
No  more  will  they  the  unborn  infant  kill, 

Nor  blight  its  life  with  sin's  corroding  stain. 

And  draining  luxury  (death's  haughty  aid), 

That  slays  with  famine  and  with  overflow, 
With  all  injustice  will  be  lowly  laid 

Where  cold  oblivion's  misty  waters  flow. 
When  mortals  feel  that  God  created  them 

In  that  grand  "  image,"  male  and  female  too, 
Maternal  love  shall  like  a  diadem 

Enwrap  the  soul  and  give  it  impulse  new. 


THE  MEMORY  OF  OUR  OWN  DEAR  MOTHER. 

/~^H  !  must  she  leave  us?    Yea.     Time's  dial  hand 
^~^     Points  to  the  number  that  marks  off  the  years 
Allotted  to  her  mortal  life,  and  vain 
It  is  to  wish  it  were  not  so  ;  but  sad 
Indeed  becomes  the  circumstance  and  sadly 
Do  we  bow  to  the  inevitable. 

Why  so  much  grief  ?    Ask  each  and  all  her  dear 
Confiding  children,  they  who  have  sought  her 
Constant  care,  and  gained  it  at  her  generous 
Hand  for  many,  many  years  ;  they  who  have 
Known  full  well  the  virture  of  her  love, 
And  felt  the  pure  affections  of  her  heart  ; 
They  who  have  heard  her  counsels  true,  in  words 
That  sounded  forth  the  oracles  of  God, 
Which  bade  departure  from  the  paths  of  sin 
And  taught  the  holy  way  of  righteousness. 


THE  MEMORY  OF  OUR  OWN  DEAR  MOTHER. 

How  often  in  her  gentle  mercy  has 
She  called  the  erring  back  to  Christ,  and  even 
Wayward  prodigals  forgiven,  and  made 
For  them  a  fullness  of  good  things. 

Firmly 

As  the  mountain  rocks  that  have  lain  unmoved 
Amid  the  storms  of  ages,  has  she  stood 
Against  the  tide  of  nature,  persistent 
In  the  right  which  triumphed  in  her  soul, 
Guided  by  truth  that  led  her  calmly  on. 
Temptation  could  not  turn,  nor  art  deceive, 
So  perfect  was  her  life,  so  keen  her  sight. 

Yea  our  dear  mother, — and  must  she  leave  us  ? 
Must  we  behold  no  more  her  mortal  face, 
Nor  meet  the  tender  greetings,  nor  the  smile 
That  let  to  us  the  sunshine  of  her  soul  ? 
The  spirit  world  is  not  afar,  and  though 
We  see  her  not,  she  will  be  with  her  own 
Dear  children,  still  to  comfort,  still  to  bless, 
Still  to  teach  and  lead,  and  save  from  harm. 

O  mother  !  we  behold  thee  passing  through 

The  pearly  gates  of  heaven,  not  the  vale 

Of  death,  crowned  with  the  golden  crown  of  life, 

Brightly  set  with  royal  gems  of  virtue, 

Robed  in  fine  raiment,  white  and  spotless 

As  the  crystal  snow,  haloed  with  the  fullness 

Of  the  glory  of  thy  inward  being, 

And  circled  with  the  beauty  of.the  spheres. 

Choirs  of  thy  early  friends  sing  happy 
Welcomes  unto  thee,  and  loving  hands 
Will  grasp  thine  warmly,  and  with  gladness 
Lead  thee  to  sweet  rest ;  rest  from  earthly  toil 
And  care,  within  some  mansion  all  prepared 
In  thy  fair  heavenly  home,  where  thou  may'st 
Claim  in  peace  the  harvest  of  thy  toil. 


303 


304  MOUNT  LEBA.\0.\  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

O  let  us  live  as  she  has  lived,  that  with 
A  record  pure  as  her's,  we  too  may  meet 
Our  God,  and  share  His  boundless  grace. 

Sing  !  sing  !  ye  holy  ones  your  welcome  tunes, 
But  we  must  sadly  chant  the  requiem. 


"WE  RISE  TO  CALL  HER  BLESSED." 

A  S  melt  the  stars  before  the  morning's  light, 

As  fade  the  sunset  beams  in  dusk  of  even, 
So  hath  her  spirit,  radiant  and  bright, 

Passed  from  our  sight  to  brighter  shine  in  heaven. 
Departed  from  us  as  a  tower  of  might, 

Based  on  a  rock  unyielding,  firm  and  sure, 
Gone  from  our  midst,  an  angel  of  God's  light, 
To  wear  the  star-gemmed  crown  and  robes  so  pure. 

She  knows  no  death,  'tis  lost  in  victory, 

She  sleeps  to  wake  to  everlasting  peace  ; 
With  conscious  joy  she  crossed  the  narrow  sea, 

To  find  from  earthly  cares  a  long  release. 
We  ask,  what  maketh  death  so  calm,  sublime? 

She  wears  the  light  of  triumph  round  her  brow, 
Hath  she  not  lived  to  God  the  life  divine  ? 

May  she  not  yield  with  joy  the  conflict  now  ? 

In  early  youth  she  heard  the  angels'  call, 

With  heart  sincere  she  hastened  to  obey, 
Left  father,  mother,  brothers,  sisters,  all, 

To  find  in  Christ  the  life,  the  truth,  the  way. 
And  backward  thro'  the  mist  of  by-gone  years, 

We  see  her  strive  each  duty  to  fulfill  ; 
She  stood  for  right  through  all  opposing  fears  ; 

In  faith  she  calmly  sought  to  do  God's  will. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


305 


O,  we  shall  miss  her  in  that  holy  hour, 

When  saints  and  mortals  in  communion  meet ; 
Yea,  miss  those  thrilling  words,  those  tones  of  power, 

That  voice  of  tenderness  and  love  so  sweet. 
Yet,  mourn  we  not  as  those  bereft  of  hope, 

Full  well  we  know  the  goal  is  nobly  won  ; 
An  angel  band  the  pearly  portals  ope, 

To  greet  her  at  the  setting  of  life's  sun. 

I  see  her  noiv  all  robed  in  white,  her  soul 

Enhaloed  by  the  light  of  Christ-like  love, 
Distilling  power  that  tells  of  self-control, 

That  raised  her  spirit  from  the  earth  above. 
No  earthly  passion  mars  her  soul's  retreat, 

No  blight  of  sin  her  spirit  form  doth  wear, 
F 'or  purity  hath  made  its  impress  sweet, 

And  left  its  everlasting  signet  there. 

We'll  waft  to  her  the  fragrance  of  our  love. 

And  thank  her  for  her  long  untiring  zeal, 
And  pray  that  from  her  heavenly  home  above 

Her  angel  benedictions  we  may  feel. 
So  fare  thee  well,  in  peace  we  let  thee  go, 

And  lay  thy  dust  beneath  the  frozen  sod, 
And  say,  the  spirit  is  not  there  ;  for  lo  ! 

Her  resurrected  soul  mounts  up  to  God. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 

FOR    A    DEPARTED    SISTER. 

/CLOSED  is  the  beautiful  day-lily's  dream, 

Wrapped  were  its  petals  at  sunset's  last  gleam, 
Spirit  of  incense  to  ether  realms  fled, 
And  the  white  casket  found  earth's  lowly  bed. 


306  MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

Thus  hath  the  soul  of  a  lovely  one  flown, 
Bearing  a  beauty  and  glory  her  own  ; 
Chaste  as  the  lily-cup,  crystal  and  white, 
Bathed  with  the  dews  and  heavenly  light. 

Deep  in  her  soul-chalice  nectar  was  stored, 
Finer  than  blossoms  of  earth  could  afford, 
Aura  of  purity  circling  her  sphere, 
Blest  every  spirit  who  to  her  drew  near. 

Peace  like  an  angelic  presence  sent  down, 
Placed  on  her  life-brow  a  star-jeweled  crown, 
Wrought  in  her  spirit  that  heavenly  grace 
Time  in  its  changes  can  never  deface. 

Wisdom  her  seal  on  those  hallowed  lips  set, 
No  vain  words  or  folly  her  heart  needs  regret, 
No  bitter  invective  found  utterance  there, 
But  only  the  sweet  voice  of  meekness  and  prayer. 

Large  was  her  charity,  broad  her  good  will, 
Of  brother,  or  sister  she  never  spoke  ill  ; 
But  Christ-like  in  spirit,  imbued  with  pure  love 
Strove  ever  the  causes  of  wrong  to  remove. 

How  true  to  God's  Order,  and  counsels  there  given, 
The  main  spring  creating  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ; 
Submissive  in  spirit,  through  sacrifice  blest, 
She  shared  with  the  faithful  soul,  comfort  and  rest. 

O  sainted  one  !  faithful  thy  travel  has  been 
Out  of  the  wilderness  places  of  sin  ; 
Called  in  thy  early  days,  wise  was  thy  choice 
In  following  ever  the  angelic  voice. 

For  country  and  kindred,  O  what  is  a  name 
To  the  soul  who  with  truth's  sacred  fire  is  aflame  ! 
Whose  vision  expands  to  a  life  that's  above 
The  narrow  relations  of  earth  and  its  love. 


KEST  IN  PEACE. 


307 


How  nobly  and  well  thou  hast  fought  the  good  fight 
Of  faith  that  exalts  and  enshrines  thee  in  light ! 
Thy  name  in  Mount  Zion  an  honor  shall  be, 
When  numbered  thou  art  in  the  ranks  of  the  free. 

Farewell,  blessed  spirit !  the  love-chords  are  thrilling, 
"Tis  but  for  thy  good  that  our  hearts  are  made  willing 
To  part  with  thy  presence  and  aid  to  us  here, 
Yet  oft  in  our  midst  may  we  feel  thou  art  near. 

No  dark  thought  of  death  in  thy  exit  we  cherish, 
\Yhile  we  give  unto  earth  all  of  earth  that  will  perish, 
Thy  spirit  immortal,  all  conscious  of  gain, 
Mounts  upward  triumphant  o'er  weakness  and  pain. 

Afar?  not  afar,  are  our  loved  and  our  dearest, 
But  when  we  seem  blindest,  e'en  then  they  are  nearest 
O  happy  the  thought !  to  that  future  we  tend, 
When  heaven  and  earth  in  communion  shall  blend. 


REST  IN  PEACE. 

READ   AT   THE    FUNERAL   OF   SISTER    EMILY   SEARS. 

CALMLY  as  melts  the  dark  shadows, 

In  the  clear  sunlight  of  day, 
So  hath  thy  spirit  arisen 

From  earthly  turmoil  away. 
In  pure  affection  we  hold  thee, 

Friendship  that  never  will  cease, 
'Neath  the  sweet  care  of  the  angels, 

Rest,  O  beloved,  in  peace. 

All  for  the  right  thou'st  forsaken 

Kindred  and  all  earthly  gain  ; 
Thine  was  a  life  of  devotion, 

Free  from  remorse  and  from  stain. 
O  sainted  one  !  we  behold  thee 

Sharing  a  happy  release, 


308  MOCA'T  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

And  with  rejoicing  and  gladness 
Gathering  laurels  of  peace. 

Bright  is  faith's  star  that  hath  led  thee, 

Guiding  thy  footsteps  aright ; 
Unselfish  toil  hath  thy  spirit 

Clothed  in  pure  vestments  of  white. 
Earnest  in  all  thy  endeavor, 

Working  for  Zion's  increase, 
Death  brings  to  thee  naught  of  terror, 

For  thou  art  resting  in  peace. 

Life  with  its  care  and  its  burden 

Often  thy  spirit  weighed  down  ; 
Thine  was  the  cross  and  the  conflict, 

Thine  is  true  joy  and  the  crown. 
Love  unto  thee  brings  her  tribute, 

Freely  the  promised  reward  ; 
Sweet  is  the  peace  of  the  faithful, 

They  who  find  rest  in  the  Lord. 

O  dearest  one  !  shall  our  spirits 

Share  of  thy  blessings  no  more, 
Lessons  of  wisdom  and  virtue 

Given  from  thy  garnered  store  ? 
Yea,  we  will  watch  for  thy  coming, 

Seek  in  thy  presence  to  be  ; 
While  these  as  fruits  of  thy  labors 

Cluster  round  life's  memory. 

Home  to  the  realms  of  the  blessed, 

Free  from  all  sadness  and  gloom, 
Voices  'mid  songs  of  rejoicing 

Bid  thee,  beloved,  to  come. 
Blest  by  thy  friends  tried  and  faithful, 

Blest  by  the  angels  above, 
Take  the  pure  gems  of  affection 

Placed  in  a  casket  of  love. 


THE  REWARD  OF  A  DEDICATED  LIFE. 


3°9 


THE  REWARD  OF  A  DEDICATED  LIFE. 

TO   SISTER    RHODA    R.  HOLLISTEK. 

T  S  not  the  hour  of  pain  the  hour  of  balm 

When  love's  sweet  solace  drops  upon  the  soul  ? 
When  comes  the  unction  of  sustaining  calm, 

Tho'  tidal  waves  of  sorrow  svuell  and  roll. 
The  drift-wood  and  the  sea-weed  cast  aside, 

The  pearls  thy  spirit  won  from  life's  great  deep 
Will  gleam  in  beauty  that  shall  e'er  abide, 

For  they  are  treasures  which  thy  soul  can  keep. 
Proud  was  thy  spirit  when  it  rose  and  smiled, 

Intent  to  reach  its  own  ambitious  height ; 
The  voice  Maternal,  bade  thee  be  a  child  ; 

Was  not  the  Heavenly  Mother's  mandate  right? 
Thy  heart  of  faith  hath  e'er  proclaimed,  "  It  was  ;  " 

Thro'  cross  and  trial,  steady  was  thy  aim, 
Thy  soul's  devotion  centered  to  Her  cause, 

And  to  Her  love  confidingly  laid  claim. 
Her  people  were  thy  kindred,  in  their  hearts 

Thy  home  of  homes  was  found  and  made  secure, 
The  mocking  enemy  sent  poisoned  darts, 

But  thou  wert  shielded  by  an  armor  pure. 
Not  through  the  lenses  of  to-day  we  view 

The  worth  which  we  have  counted  year  by  year, 
Not  in  the  tearful  time  when  flowers  we  strew, 

Do  we  first  learn  to  prize  and  hold  thee  dear. 
Could  gold  of  Ophir  buy  thy  loving  toil 

Or  prompt  the  hand  so  ready  to  bestow? 
Could  station  give  the  balsam  and  the  oil 

That  thro'  the  soul's  affections  had  their  flow? 
Half  o'er  a  century  the  field  extends 

Whereon  broadcast  thy  glorious  deeds  were  wrought, 
Where  sainted,  hallowed  souls  became  thy  friends 

And  blest  thee  with  the  love  thy  spirit  sought. 
Then  what  to  thee  was  all  the  world's  false  show? 

Its  aspirations  were  the  tempest's  breath  ; 


•j  10  AfOL'.Vr  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

When  once  thy  feet  had  found  the  valley  low 

The  road  to  glory  was  the  path  to  death. 
Thy  faith  had  tests  severe,  when  kith  and  kin 

And  comrades  loved  and  cherished  in  the  way 
Turned  from  the  fold  to  devious  wiles  of  sin, 

Thy  choice  was  heavenward,  where,  O  where  are 

they? 
Immortal  life  is  thine  ;  thy  soul  is  strong 

To  bear  the  changes  of  the  transient  state  ; 
Thou  hast  a  trust,  a  triumph  and  a  song, 

With  which  to  enter  at  the  Morning  Gate. 
The  flowers  of  earth  to  thee  were  more  than  fair, 

They  were  the  gifts  of  God  so  freely  given 
In  answer  to  the  world's  sick,  yearning  prayer, 

When    mortals    craved    some    token  —  boon   from 

heaven. 
There  in  that  land  where  all  the  bloom  is  sweet, 

Beyond  the  loveliness  of  which  we  dreamed, 
Shall  Zion's  faithful  ones  united  meet, 

And  by  her  laws  refining  be  redeemed. 
The  opaque  pebble-crust  from  souls  removed, 

The  diamonds  polished  by  the  life  divine, 
Shall  blend  their  luster  with  the  hosts  beloved — 

God's  living  jewels,  evermore  to  shine. 
Such  is  the  end  of  faith  to  us  revealed, 

However  much  to  do  or  long  to  wait ; 
Through  labor  are  the  promises  unsealed 

That  bear  the  glory  of  the  holy  state. 
There  is  one  baptism,  above,  below, 

One  way.  divided  by  a  mountain  cloud, 
We  climb  the  steep  up  which  thy  feet  must  go, 

\Vhile  only  silvery  screening  mists  enshroud. 
But  we  shall  miss  thee  from  external  sight, 

Our  outward  senses  oft  will  feel  a  void, 
Yet  from  earth's  shadow  to  eternal  light 

The  bond  of  union  cannot  be  destroyed. 
We  give  thee  thanks  for  the  unmeasured  good 

Which  in  thy  consecration  had  its  root ; 
We  give  thee  blessing,  that  will  ever  brood 


CROSSING  LIFE'S  TIDE.  31  r 

Upon  a  life  that  bore  unselfish  fruit. 
The  ministrations  coming  from  the  gift 

Bring  fortitude  and  courage  to  us  all ; 
Dear  angel-hands  the  burdens  help  to  lift, 

And  angels'  soothing  accents  gently  fall. 
These  spirit  friends  that  now  our  numbers  swell, 

Are  from  our  Zion  home  that  is  above  ; 
We  dare  not  emphasize  the  word,  Farewell, 

But  we  have  clothed  and  crowned  thee  with  our  love. 


CROSSING  LIFE'S  TIDE. 

'"THE  loved,  and  the  dear  ones,  are  passing  from  me, 

One  by  one  they  are  crossing  life's  tide  ; 
They're  borne  from  my  vision  like  ships  on  the  sea, 
To  the  shore  on  eternity's  side. 

The  spring  time  of  childhood,  and  bright  years  of  youth, 
Were  blest  by  their  kindness  and  care  ; 

Their  spotless  example,  of  virtue  and  truth, 
Gave  strength  every  conflict  to  bear. 

O  precious  the  memories,  twining  my  heart, 

Like  tendrils  of  summer's  fair  vine  ! 
A  new  thrill  of  life  to  my  soul  they  impart, 

For  sweet  recollections  are  mine. 

The  faces  that  beamed  with  the  sunshine  of  love, 
The  hands  that  with  mine  were  employed, 

The  feet  that  were  wont  in  my  pathway  to  move, 
And  hearts  that  life's  pleasures  enjoyed. 

Though  now  in  the  immortal  regions  beyond, 

And  toiling  in  new  fields  above, 
Yet  sacred  and  precious  I  hold  the  pure  bond, 

That  links  me  to  kindred,  in  love. 


312 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 


For  heavenly  communion,  my  spirit  oft  yearns, 

I'll  draw  from  an  angelic  sphere  ; 
I  know  there's  a  land  whence  the  trav'ler  returns, 

To  gladden  our  pilgrimage  here. 

Then  come.  O  ye  dear  ones,  who  love  as  of  yore, 
Add  strength  to  the  faith  that  we  hold  ; 

Bring  gifts  that  are  new  from  the  evergreen  shore 
And  treasures  that  will  not  grow  old. 


RECOMPENSE. 

I  WOULD  not  ask  O  Lord,  for  more  of  good 

Than  Thou  hast  given  through  Thy  Fatherhood  ; 
Nor  even  seek  that  Thou  should'st  longer  be 
The  debtor  for  my  soul's  security  ; 
For  undeserved,  the  gifts  that  come  from  Thee 
Fall  on  my  path  of  life  continually, 
And  in  them  all  I  find  a  sweet  content, 
A  blest  retreat,  a  safe  environment. 
Yet  somehow  'mid  them  all  I  fail  to  find 
The  perfect  peace,  the  spirit  all  resigned. 
The  finite  part  so  weak  and  insecure 
Struggles  to  know  Thy  purpose  wise  and  pure, 
But  still  at  times  when  life  seems  smooth  without, 
I  feel  an  inward  dread  akin  to  doubt, 
A  wavering,  like  one  who  treads  alone 
The  mazy  pathway  of  a  land  unknown, 
A  vagueness  of  the  mind  one  feels  when  lost, 
With  dangerous  ways  before,  that  must  be  crossed. 
And  yet  I  do  not  doubt,  but  keep  a  sense 
That  waits  to  know  the  ways  of  Providence, 
That  longs  to  hear  Thy  laws  interpreted, 
And  learn  the  answers  to  the  prayers  once  said. 
I  dare  to  think  from  lessons  Nature  gives, 
That  somewhere  else  the  vital  Spirit  lives, 


YOl'THFl'L  PETITION. 

As  storm  and  shadow  eagerly  declare 

That  calm  and  sunshine  surely  reigns  elsewhere. 

So,  when  my  soul  sinks  deep  in  questionings, 

I  trust  there  is  an  answer  to  all  things, 

But  fail  to  find  the  nicely  fitting  key 

That  turns  the  temple's  lock  still  closed  to  me  ; 

Cannot  discern  with  reason's  optic  glass 

The  path  o'er  which  Thy  bright-gift  angels  pass; 

But  hold  in  faith  to  intuition's  thread 

That  runs  along  the  complex  way  I  tread, 

Still  careful  not  to  blind  my  soul  through  dread, 

Nor  through  erroneous  ways  to  be  misled  ; 

My  trusting  heart  gives  o'er  its  task  to  Thee, 

It  fails  in  all  to  solve  the  mystery. 

Still  I  will  struggle  on  and  hope  and  pray 

Nor  courage  lose  through  danger  or  delay. 

If  when  I  enter  Thy  white  temple's  gate, 

I  may  be  taught  the  laws  for  which  I  wait, 

And  having  learned  what  life  has  dreamed  of  here, 

That  time  will  be  my  spirit's  festal  year. 


313 


YOUTHFUL  PETITION. 


\X/HEX  with  the  saints  assembled 

In  worship's  holy  hour, 
Where  unseen  hosts  have  gathered 

With  blest  redeeming  power  ; 
Where  offerings  of  the  faithful 

With  fragrance  fill  the  air, 
And  angel  gifts  are  falling, 

O,  breathe  for  me  one  prayer  ! 

When  round  the  holy  altar 
Where  sacrament  is  given, 

The  wine  of  truth  eternal 
And  living  bread  from  heaven  ; 


MOUNT  LEBANON  CEDAR  BOUGHS. 

And  you  with  dearest  kindred 

In  soul  communion  share, 
Some  crumbs  for  me,  O  gather 

And  think  of  me  in  prayer. 

I  know  I  am  dependent, 

My  soul  would  famished  be, 
If  that  I  only  merit 

Were  given  unto  me  ; 
And  meager  be  the  raiment 

My  spirit  form  would  wear, 
Without  a  woven  garment 

Of  charity  and  prayer. 

Though  shadows  of  affliction 

My  pathway  now  have  crossed, 
The  light  that  shines  above  me 

Can  ne'er  be  dimmed  nor  lost ; 
If  I  in  spirit  lowly 

Will  seek  the  angel's  care, 
And  you  my  precious  kindred 

Remember  me  in  prayer.- 

I'll  seek  the  flowing  river, 

And  wash  my  soul  from  stain, 
I'll  prove  the  heated  furnace, 

Until  no  dross  remain. 
And  when  the  clouds  are  breaking, 

And  lightnings  rend  the  air, 
To  gain  a  new  baptism, 

O  help  me  by  your  prayer. 

I'll  arm  my  soul  for  contest, 

'Gainst  selfishness  and  sin, 
Will  list  to  wisdom's  counsels, 

And  bear  the  cross  within  ; 
I  would  not  shrink  from  duty, 

But  toil  and  trial  bear, 
That  healing  power  be  given, 

Remember  me  in  prayer. 


CULMINATION. 

Oil  then  with  soul  and  body 

Renewed  for  toil  and  strife, 
Thank  offerings  I  will  render, 

In  fruits  of  holy  life  ; 
And  thus  to  those  who've  blest  me, 

With  patient,  loving  care, 
Through  consecrated  service, 

Give  recompense  for  prayer. 


CULMINATION. 

'"THERE  comes  upon  our  life-day 

The  gloom  that  autumn  weaves, 
There  falls  upon  our  pathway 

The  golden  harvest  leaves. 
And  shades  that  dip  at  evening 

Predict  approaching  night, 
The  soul  that  meets  its  darkness 

Looks  forward  to  the  light. 

There  is  a  spell  of  gladness 

Before  a  time  of  pain, 
The  harp  attuned  to  sadness 

Holds  yet  a  brighter  strain. 
The  pearl  that  drops  at  night-fall 

In  morning  light  is  fair, 
The  rose  that  holds  the  tear-drop 

Sends  up  an  incense  prayer. 

There  comes  a  time  when  freshness 

Makes  all  the  woodland  bright, 
But  circling  of  the  seasons 

Brings  to  its  greenness  blight. 
The  sun  will  light  the  morning, 

And  gray  of  winter's  night 
Will  open  of  its  purity 

To  robe  the  earth  in  white. 


3 1 6  MO  UN T  L EBA  NON  CEDAR  BO  L'GHS. 

There  comes  a  time  of  sunset 
When  day-beams  lie  aslant, 

And  shades  of  deepening  night-fall 
Will  lingering  days  supplant. 

When  life  of  youth's  fair  morning 

Returns  to  Him  who  gave, 
And  lengthening  of  the  shadows 

Are  stretched  upon  the  grave. 
The  song  that's  almost  ended 

Will  rise  in  sweet  refrain, 
The  hope-star  that  is  dimming 

Increase  its  light  again. 

As  fragrant  breath  of  incense 

Exhales  from  fading  bloom, 
The  tired  passing  spirit 

Escapes  as  from  the  tomb. 
For  love  that  buds  the  flowers 

On  lonely  desert  sand, 
Will  cull  the  spirit  blossoms 

To  bloom  in  summer  land. 


LIST  OF  PUBLICATIONS. 

Christ's  First  and  Second  Appearing,         .        .    $2.00 

Dunlavy's  Manifesto, i.oo 

Millennial  Church, i.oo 

Autobiography  of  a  Shaker,        ....  i.oo 

Original  Shaker  Music,  Vol.  I,            .         .         .  1.25 

"          "         "  II,  Cloth  Bound,     .  i  50 

"  II,  Board,      "         .  1.25 

Bound  Volumes  of  Shaker  and  Shakeress,         .  1.25 

Mother  Ann's  Precepts,       .....  i.oo 

The  Shakers, 75 

The  Manifesto  (Published  Monthly),          .         .  .75 

Ann  Lee,  Compendium,  Cloth  Bound,       .        .  .75 

Paper       "            .         .  .50 

Immortalized  (Elder  F.  W.  Evans),            .         .  .50 

Divine  Afflatus, 15 

Sketches  of  Shakers  and  Shakerism,          .         .  .15 

Plain  Evidences,          .         .         .         .         .         .  -15 

Religious  Communism,       .         .         .         .         .  .10 

Social  Gathering  Dialogue,         .         .        .        .  .10 

Henry  Vincent,            .        .        .         .        .        .  .10 

Plain  Talks  and  Kentucky  Revival,            .        .  .10 
Mount  Lebanon  Cedar  Boughs  (Original  Shaker 

Poetry) 1.50 

Pamphlets  and  Tracts  upon  various  topics  per 
taining  to  Our  Faith,  free. 


POST  OFFICE  ADDRESS  OF  THE 
SEVERAL  COMMUNITIES. 

Daniel  Offord  or  Anna  White, 

Mount  Lebanon,  Col.,  N.  Y. 
Ozias  Bogart  or  Rosetta  Hendrickson, 

Shakers,  Albany  Co.,  N.  Y. 
Louis  Basting  or  Caroline  Helfrich, 

West  Pittsfield,  Berkshire  Co.,  Mass. 
Thomas  Stroud  or  Marion  Patrick, 

Shaker  Station,  Hartford  Co.,  Conn. 
John  Whitely  or  Mary  Ellston, 

Shirley  Village,  Middlesex  Co.,  Mass. 
J.  B.  Vance  or  Fanny  Casey, 

Alfred,  York  Co.,  Me. 
William  Dumont  or  Lizzie  Noyse, 

Sabbathday  Lake,  Cum.  Co.,  Me. 
Ellen  Green  or  Marcia  Bullard, 

Ayer,  Middlesex  Co.,  Mass 
H.  C.  Blinn  or  Dorothy  Durgin, 

East  Canterbury,  Mer.  Co.,  N.  H. 
William  Wilson  or  Rosetta  Cummings. 

Enfield,  Grafton  Co.,  N.  H. 
Joseph  Slingerland  or  Elizabeth  Downing, 

Union  Village,  Warren  Co.,  Ohio. 
James  W.  Shelton  or  Eliza  Carpenter, 

Pleasant  Hill,  Mercer  Co.,  Ky. 
James  H.  Richardson  or  Nancy  Clark, 

South  Union,  Logan  Co.,  Ky? 
H.  B.  Bear  or  Amanda  Rubush, 

Preston,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio. 
Hester  Frost  or  Mollie  McBride, 

Dayton,  Box  914,  Ohio. 


A  BRIEF  CITATION  OF  THE   REGULATIONS 
GOVERNING  THE  SOCIETY  OF  SHAKERS. 

If,  after  careful  perusal,  the  reader  should  desire 
further  information  upon  particular  points  pertaining 
to  our  history,  life,  or  religion,  we  have  pamphlets  and 
tracts  that  treat  these  different  subjects  separately,  and 
larger  publications  giving  fuller  information.  See 
' '  List  of  Publications, ' '  on  another  page,  also  the  names 
of  the  Elders  of  the  various  families,  either  of  whom 
will  be  open  to  a  limited  personal  correspondence  with 
inquirers. 

1.  We  have  a  parental  form  of  government,    the 
powers  and  authorities  of  which  are  sustained  by  the 
mutual  love  and  confidence  of  its  members.     The  lead 
ing  authority  of  each  Society  is   vested   in   Ministry, 
usually  consisting  of  two  Brothers  and  two  Sisters. 
Elders  and  Trustees  are  also  appointed  ;  these  Orders 
constitute  the  general  government  in  all  its  branches. 

2.  No  one  is  excluded  from  the  privilege  of  be 
coming  a  member  of  our  home  on  account  of  poverty  ; 
nor  will  they  be  accepted  because  of  wealth. 

3.  Those  who  ask  for  admission  are  supposed  to 
be  in  search  of  more  truth  and  light,  hence,  an  import 
ant  principle  in  the  Shaker  Church  is  the  confession  of 
sin  to  God  in  the  presence  of  a  witness. 

4.  Plain  and  explicit  facts  will  be  laid  before  the 
investigator.     To    become  a  member  is  a  voluntary 
concession  of  the  individual. 

5.  Those  who  accept  the  privilege  to  reside  with 
us,  as  well  as  those  who  visit  the  Society  as  inquirers, 


are  expected  to  regard  the  rules  of  the  family  where 
they  are  entertained. 

6.  The  Society  will  not  be  responsible  for  debts 
contracted  by  persons  previous  to  the  time  of  their 
membership. 

7.  Probationary  members  may  retain  the    lawful 
ownership  of  their  property,  but  the  interest  accruing 
therefrom  will  be  devoted  to  the  benefit  of  the  Society, 
until   by  their  own  free   will  and  the  consent  of  the 
Trustees,  they  shall  consecrate  said  property  to  the 
support  of  the  family  where  they  reside. 

8.  When  by  their  own  free  will  they  become  full 
members,  and  consecrate  their  property  to  the  support 
of  the  family  in  which  they  reside,  the  property  can 
not,  according  to  our  covenant,  be  removed,  should 
the  member  violate  his  agreement.     However,  we  up 
hold  the  principle  of  justice,  and  except  in  a  few  cases 
the  principal  has  never  been  withheld.     This  matter, 
however,  is  at  the  option  of  the  Order. 

9.  No  wages  will  be  paid  nor  charges  made  dur 
ing  probationary  membership. 

10.  Those  who  dispose  of  their  property  to  relations 
in  the  worldly  order  should  remain  with  those  relations. 

11.  A  person  wishing  to  become  a  member  of  the 
Society  must  rectify  all  his  wrongs  and  discharge   all 
just  and  legal  claims. 

12.  All  correspondence  will  be  subject  to  the  exam 
ination  and  advice  of  the  Elders.     Perfect  honesty  and 
openness  in  every  word  and  deed  secures  the  protec 
tion  of  our  homes  and  maintains  mutual  confidence. 

13.  By  the  principles  of  the  Society,  no  believing 
husband  or  wife  is  allowed  to  separate  from  an  unbe 
lieving  partner,  except  by  mutual  or  legal  agreement. 

14.  Our  platform  is  this  :    Community  of  Interests — 
equality  among  brethren  and  sisters.     Non-resistance 
— practical  peace.     Confession  of  sin  in  the  presence  of 
a  witness — light  made  manifest,  and  last,  but  not  least, 
Virginity— purity  of  life  in  thought,  word  and  action. 


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